Is one fifth less than three tenths?

Answer 1

Yes, it is.

To solve it:

The numerator is the number on top. In this case you have a 1 and a 3

The denominator is the number on the bottom. In this case you have a 5 and a 10

You want the denominators to be equal. To do this, find the lowest number that both divide into (in this case 10, 10/5 = 2 and 10/10 = 1)

To get the denominator of the 1/5th fraction to equal 10, you multiply (x) by 2. This will give you 10, however whatever you do to the top, you have to do to the bottom - i.e. you times the 5 by two (the denominator), you need to times the 1 by two (the numerator) this gives you 2/10ths = 1/5th.

The second one is easier = to make 10 = 10, you only have to times by 1, so nothing changes.

This means that you are seeing if 2/10ths is less than 3/10ths. As you have 1 less tenth, it is obvious that it is less.

So 1/5th (or 2/10ths) is less than 3/10ths.