Compare 8/72 and 21/4
1st number: 8/72, 2nd number: 5 1/4
8/72 is smaller than 21/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 4 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
8/72 = 8 × 1/72 × 1 = 8/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 18 = 72,
21/4 = 21 × 18/4 × 18 = 378/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 8/72 < 378/72 or 8/72 < 21/4
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