Compare 84/72 and 36/18
1st number: 1 12/72, 2nd number: 2 0/18
84/72 is smaller than 36/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 18 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
84/72 = 84 × 1/72 × 1 = 84/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
36/18 = 36 × 4/18 × 4 = 144/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/72 < 144/72 or 84/72 < 36/18
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