Compare 72/5 and 40/18
1st number: 14 2/5, 2nd number: 2 4/18
72/5 is greater than 40/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 18 is 90
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 90 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 18 = 90,
72/5 = 72 × 18/5 × 18 = 1296/90 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 5 = 90,
40/18 = 40 × 5/18 × 5 = 200/90 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 1296/90 > 200/90 or 72/5 > 40/18
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