Compare 5/16 and 9/20
5/16 is smaller than 9/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 20 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
5/16 = 5 × 5/16 × 5 = 25/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 4 = 80,
9/20 = 9 × 4/20 × 4 = 36/80 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 25/80 < 36/80 or 5/16 < 9/20
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