Compare 5/16 and 40/60
5/16 is smaller than 40/60
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 60 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 15 = 240,
5/16 = 5 × 15/16 × 15 = 75/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 60 × 4 = 240,
40/60 = 40 × 4/60 × 4 = 160/240 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 75/240 < 160/240 or 5/16 < 40/60
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