Compare 84/45 and 72/20
1st number: 1 39/45, 2nd number: 3 12/20
84/45 is smaller than 72/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 45 and 20 is 180
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 180 - For the 1st fraction, since 45 × 4 = 180,
84/45 = 84 × 4/45 × 4 = 336/180 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 9 = 180,
72/20 = 72 × 9/20 × 9 = 648/180 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/180 < 648/180 or 84/45 < 72/20
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