Compare 72/30 and 21/4
1st number: 2 12/30, 2nd number: 5 1/4
72/30 is smaller than 21/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 30 and 4 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 30 × 2 = 60,
72/30 = 72 × 2/30 × 2 = 144/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 15 = 60,
21/4 = 21 × 15/4 × 15 = 315/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/60 < 315/60 or 72/30 < 21/4
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