Compare Fractions: Find the Missing Sign Between 2/15 and 1/3

Question

Fill in the missing sign:

21513 \frac{2}{15}☐\frac{1}{3}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Choose the appropriate sign
00:03 We want to multiply the fraction by 5 to get a common denominator
00:09 Remember to multiply both numerator and denominator
00:13 Now we have a common denominator between the fractions
00:19 When denominators are equal, the larger the numerator, the larger the fraction
00:29 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll convert both fractions to have a common denominator and compare:

  • Step 1: Identify the denominators (15(15 and 3)3) of the fractions 215\frac{2}{15} and 13\frac{1}{3}.
  • Step 2: Find the common denominator. The least common multiple (LCM) of 1515 and 33 is 1515.
  • Step 3: Convert each fraction to have the common denominator 1515.
    • For 215\frac{2}{15}, the fraction is already over 1515, so it stays 215\frac{2}{15}.
    • For 13\frac{1}{3}, multiply both the numerator and the denominator by 55 to get an equivalent fraction: 1×53×5=515\frac{1 \times 5}{3 \times 5} = \frac{5}{15}.
  • Step 4: Compare the equivalent fractions 215\frac{2}{15} and 515\frac{5}{15}.
  • Step 5: Since 2<52 \lt 5, it follows that 215<515\frac{2}{15} \lt \frac{5}{15}.

Therefore, the correct sign to fill in the missing slot is <\lt.

Consequently, the completed expression is 215<13\frac{2}{15} \lt \frac{1}{3}.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is < \lt .

Answer

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