Question

1/5 greater than 1/8

Answer 1

To compare \( \frac{1}{5} \) and \( \frac{1}{8} \), we can convert both fractions to have a common denominator or compare their decimal equivalents.

1. **Finding a common denominator**:
- The least common multiple of 5 and 8 is 40.
- Convert \( \frac{1}{5} \) and \( \frac{1}{8} \) to have the common denominator of 40:

\[
\frac{1}{5} = \frac{8}{40} \quad (\text{since } 1 \times 8 = 8 \text{ and } 5 \times 8 = 40)
\]
\[
\frac{1}{8} = \frac{5}{40} \quad (\text{since } 1 \times 5 = 5 \text{ and } 8 \times 5 = 40)
\]

2. **Comparing the two fractions**:
- Now we can compare \( \frac{8}{40} \) and \( \frac{5}{40} \). Clearly, \( \frac{8}{40} > \frac{5}{40} \).

Thus, \( \frac{1}{5} \) is greater than \( \frac{1}{8} \).

If you were looking for how much greater \( \frac{1}{5} \) is compared to \( \frac{1}{8} \), you can subtract the two:

\[
\frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{8} = \frac{8}{40} - \frac{5}{40} = \frac{3}{40}
\]

So, \( \frac{1}{5} \) is \( \frac{3}{40} \) greater than \( \frac{1}{8} \).