Compare 16/48 and 16/5
1st number: 16/48, 2nd number: 3 1/5
16/48 is smaller than 16/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 5 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 5 = 240,
16/48 = 16 × 5/48 × 5 = 80/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 48 = 240,
16/5 = 16 × 48/5 × 48 = 768/240 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/240 < 768/240 or 16/48 < 16/5
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 32/48 and 16/5 16/48 and 32/5 16/96 and 16/5 16/48 and 16/10 16/48 and 48/5 16/48 and 16/15 80/48 and 16/5 16/48 and 80/5 16/48 and 16/25 16/48 and 16/35