Compare 1/5 and 12/20
1/5 is smaller than 12/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 20 is 20
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 20 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 4 = 20,
1/5 = 1 × 4/5 × 4 = 4/20 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 1 = 20,
12/20 = 12 × 1/20 × 1 = 12/20 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 4/20 < 12/20 or 1/5 < 12/20
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