Compare 84/72 and 21/40
1st number: 1 12/72, 2nd number: 21/40
84/72 is greater than 21/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 40 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 5 = 360,
84/72 = 84 × 5/72 × 5 = 420/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
21/40 = 21 × 9/40 × 9 = 189/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 420/360 > 189/360 or 84/72 > 21/40
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