Compare 1/5 and 15/40
1/5 is smaller than 15/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 40 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 8 = 40,
1/5 = 1 × 8/5 × 8 = 8/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
15/40 = 15 × 1/40 × 1 = 15/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 8/40 < 15/40 or 1/5 < 15/40
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