Question

Mesha is comparing 1/3 and 3/5 using benchmarks 0 and 1. Which statements are correct? Check a that apply.

A. 1/3 is closer to 0 than to 1

B. 1/3 is closer to 1 than to 0

C. 1/3 is less than 3/5

D. 1/3 is greater than 3/5

E. 1/3 is equal to 3/5​

Answer 1

A, C

Explanation:

Let's use a different benchmark for this: 1/2. Half of 5 is 2 1/2, so 3/5 is clearly bigger than 1/2 (since 3 is bigger than 2 1/2). Half of 3 is 1 1/2, so 1/3 is clearly smaller than a half (since 1 is smaller than 1 1/2). We have

1/3 < 1/2 < 3/5

Which, of course, implies that 1/3 is less than 3/5, and by being smaller, 1/3 is closer to 0 than to 1.