Is #2/5# the same as #5/8# ?

3 Answers
Apr 6, 2017

No

Explanation:

Convert #2/5# and #5/8# to fractions with the same denominator. The least common multiple of #5# and #8# is #40#.

#2/5*8/8=16/40#

#5/8*5/5=25/40#

Clearly, #5/8>2/5#.

Apr 8, 2017

No

Explanation:

When #b# and #d# are non-zero:

#a/b=c/d" "# if and only if #" "ad=bc#

In our example:

#2*8 = 16 != 25=5*5#

So:

#2/5 != 5/8#

Apr 8, 2017

A sort of cheat way:

#5/8# is bigger so the answer is no

Explanation:

If #2/5# was equal to #5/8# then dividing one into the other will give the answer of 1

Consider #2/5-:5/8#

If the answer is less than 1 then 5/8 is bigger.
If the answer is more that 1 the 5/8 is maller.

#2/5-:5/8->2/5xx8/5" "=" "16/25# which is less than 1

So #5/8# is bigger