Compare 72/49 and 42/40
1st number: 1 23/49, 2nd number: 1 2/40
72/49 is greater than 42/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 49 and 40 is 1960
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1960 - For the 1st fraction, since 49 × 40 = 1960,
72/49 = 72 × 40/49 × 40 = 2880/1960 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 49 = 1960,
42/40 = 42 × 49/40 × 49 = 2058/1960 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 2880/1960 > 2058/1960 or 72/49 > 42/40
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