Compare 72/40 and 35/15
1st number: 1 32/40, 2nd number: 2 5/15
72/40 is smaller than 35/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 15 is 120
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 3 = 120,
72/40 = 72 × 3/40 × 3 = 216/120 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 8 = 120,
35/15 = 35 × 8/15 × 8 = 280/120 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 216/120 < 280/120 or 72/40 < 35/15
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