Compare 72/35 and 81/21
1st number: 2 2/35, 2nd number: 3 18/21
72/35 is smaller than 81/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 35 and 21 is 105
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 105 - For the 1st fraction, since 35 × 3 = 105,
72/35 = 72 × 3/35 × 3 = 216/105 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 5 = 105,
81/21 = 81 × 5/21 × 5 = 405/105 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 216/105 < 405/105 or 72/35 < 81/21
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