Question

Which symbol can be used to correctly compare the two fractions 2/5 and 35/100

Answer 1

Reduce 35/100 to 7/20 by dividing both sides by 5.

2/5 is bigger than 7/20.

2/5 > 7/20  or 2/5 > 35/100 if you leave it unsimplified

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

Remark

The first thing to do is to find the value of each fraction in decimal form. Then you can compare them.

Solution

You can get these numbers using your calculator.

2/5 = 0.40 Your calculator may say it is 0.4, but you should add the zero so that the two factions can be compared.

35/100 = 0.35

Now which one is bigger? Think money. Which would you rather have: 40 cents or 35 cents? You should answer 40 cents.

Since 40 >  35

Therefore 0.40> 0.35

And 2/5 > 35/100