Compare 72/40 and 42/10
1st number: 1 32/40, 2nd number: 4 2/10
72/40 is smaller than 42/10
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 10 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
72/40 = 72 × 1/40 × 1 = 72/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 10 × 4 = 40,
42/10 = 42 × 4/10 × 4 = 168/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 72/40 < 168/40 or 72/40 < 42/10
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