Compare 1/5 and 5/16
1/5 is smaller than 5/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 16 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 16 = 80,
1/5 = 1 × 16/5 × 16 = 16/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
5/16 = 5 × 5/16 × 5 = 25/80 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 16/80 < 25/80 or 1/5 < 5/16
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