Compare 72/56 and 8/21
1st number: 1 16/56, 2nd number: 8/21
72/56 is greater than 8/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 21 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 3 = 168,
72/56 = 72 × 3/56 × 3 = 216/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 8 = 168,
8/21 = 8 × 8/21 × 8 = 64/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 216/168 > 64/168 or 72/56 > 8/21
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