Compare 8/72 and 36/21
1st number: 8/72, 2nd number: 1 15/21
8/72 is smaller than 36/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 21 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
8/72 = 8 × 7/72 × 7 = 56/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 24 = 504,
36/21 = 36 × 24/21 × 24 = 864/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 56/504 < 864/504 or 8/72 < 36/21
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