Compare 1/5 and 7/20
1/5 is smaller than 7/20
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,
7/20 = 7 × 1/20 × 1 = 7/20 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 4/20 < 7/20 or 1/5 < 7/20
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 2/5 and 7/20 1/5 and 14/20 1/10 and 7/20 1/5 and 7/40 3/5 and 7/20 1/5 and 21/20 1/15 and 7/20 1/5 and 7/60 1/5 and 35/20 1/25 and 7/20 7/5 and 7/20 1/5 and 49/20 1/35 and 7/20