Question

Express the following fractions in ascending order:

$\frac{5}{4}$, $\frac{3}{5}$, $\frac{1}{2}$: ___, ___, ___

• A. $\frac{1}{2}$
• B. $\frac{3}{5}$, $\frac{5}{4}$

Answer 1

• Step 1: The least common denominator (LCD) of $2$, $4$ and $5$ is $20$. Make the denominator as $20$ for all the fractions.

$\frac{5}{4}=\frac{5\times 5}{4\times 5}=\frac{25}{20}$;

$\frac{3}{5}=\frac{3\times 4}{5\times 4}=\frac{12}{20}$;

$\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1\times 10}{2\times 10}=\frac{10}{20}$

• Step 2: Now each fraction has the same denominator $20$. Arrange the fractions in ascending order by arranging numerators in ascending order.

$\frac{10}{20}$, $\frac{12}{20}$, $\frac{25}{20}$

• Hence, the fractions in ascending order are $\frac{1}{2}$, $\frac{3}{5}$, $\frac{5}{4}$.