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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from TeeTee, a student: I am in 6th grade. I have to order these fractions from least to greatest: 3/4, 2/5, 5/8, 1/2.....How do I order them if I don't know where to start, and how would I find these answers...Please Help! :) |
Hi,
You can order 3/4 and 1/2 by writing an equivalent fraction to 1/2 with a denominator of 4.
1/2 = 2/4
and 2/4 < 3/4.
Now where does 2/5 fit? What denominator can you use to compare fourths and fifths? I would use a denominator of 20.
1/2 = 2/4 = 10/20
3/4 = 15/20 and
2/5 = 8/20.
Here 8/20 < 10/20 < 15/20 and hence
2/5 < 1/2 < 3/4.
Now where does 5/8 fit? What denominator can you use to compare eighths and twentieths?
Penny
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