Compare 2/5 and 40/50
2/5 is smaller than 40/50
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 50 is 50
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 50 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 10 = 50,
2/5 = 2 × 10/5 × 10 = 20/50 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 50 × 1 = 50,
40/50 = 40 × 1/50 × 1 = 40/50 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 20/50 < 40/50 or 2/5 < 40/50
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