Compare 72/42 and 18/10
1st number: 1 30/42, 2nd number: 1 8/10
72/42 is smaller than 18/10
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 10 is 210
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
72/42 = 72 × 5/42 × 5 = 360/210 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 10 × 21 = 210,
18/10 = 18 × 21/10 × 21 = 378/210 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 360/210 < 378/210 or 72/42 < 18/10
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