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About Abe Mantell
Expertise
Hello, I am a college professor of mathematics and regularly teach all levels from elementary mathematics through differential equations, and would be happy to assist anyone with such questions!

Experience
Over 15 years teaching at the college level.

Organizations belong to
NCTM, NYSMATYC, AMATYC, MAA, NYSUT, AFT.

Education/Credentials
B.S. in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
M.S. (and A.B.D.) in Applied Mathematics from SUNY @ Stony Brook

You are here: Experts > Science > Math for Kids > Basic Math > LENGTH

Basic Math - LENGTH

Expert: Abe Mantell - 7/19/2009

Question
Which is the shortest length, 5/16, 1/4, or 1/6?

Answer
Hello Margarita,

With a calculator, or by hand using long division, you can convert each one to a decimal to see:
5/16=0.3125
1/4=0.25
1/6=0.166666...

So, now it is obvious that 1/6 is the smallest.

If you want to do it without a calculator or long division, then just
convert them all to the same denominator, i.e. common denominator.
The LCD = 48

5/16 = 15/48
1/4 = 12/48
1/6 = 8/48

Again, you can see that 1/6 (8/48) is the smallest.

Abe

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