Compare 72/30 and 42/12
1st number: 2 12/30, 2nd number: 3 6/12
72/30 is smaller than 42/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 30 and 12 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 12 × 5 = 60,
42/12 = 42 × 5/12 × 5 = 210/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/60 < 210/60 or 72/30 < 42/12
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