Compare 72/70 and 40/12
1st number: 1 2/70, 2nd number: 3 4/12
72/70 is smaller than 40/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 70 and 12 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 70 × 6 = 420,
72/70 = 72 × 6/70 × 6 = 432/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 35 = 420,
40/12 = 40 × 35/12 × 35 = 1400/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 432/420 < 1400/420 or 72/70 < 40/12
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