Compare 1/3 and 5/16
1/3 is greater than 5/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 3 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 3 × 16 = 48,
1/3 = 1 × 16/3 × 16 = 16/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
5/16 = 5 × 3/16 × 3 = 15/48 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 16/48 > 15/48 or 1/3 > 5/16
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