Compare 72/84 and 50/45
1st number: 72/84, 2nd number: 1 5/45
72/84 is smaller than 50/45
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 45 is 1260
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1260 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 15 = 1260,
72/84 = 72 × 15/84 × 15 = 1080/1260 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 45 × 28 = 1260,
50/45 = 50 × 28/45 × 28 = 1400/1260 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 1080/1260 < 1400/1260 or 72/84 < 50/45
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