Compare 72/80 and 42/15
1st number: 72/80, 2nd number: 2 12/15
72/80 is smaller than 42/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 80 and 15 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 80 × 3 = 240,
72/80 = 72 × 3/80 × 3 = 216/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 16 = 240,
42/15 = 42 × 16/15 × 16 = 672/240 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 216/240 < 672/240 or 72/80 < 42/15
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