Final answer:
The missing numbers in the equivalent fractions _/5 = 8/20 = 4/_ are 2 and 40. This was determined by using multiplication and division to find the common denominator and scale the fractions accordingly.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to find the missing numbers in the equivalent fractions _/5 = 8/20 = 4/_, it's important to understand the concept of equivalent fractions and how to find a common denominator. To solve this, we set up proportions that reflect the equality of these fractions.
Firstly, we notice that 5 times 4 equals 20, thus the equivalent fraction to 8/20 is 2/5 because 8 divided by 4 equals 2. Therefore, the first missing number is 2.
Secondly, to find the equivalent fraction of 8/20 that has 4 in the numerator, we observe that 4 divided by 8 equals 0.5. Consequently, to keep the fractions equivalent, we must divide 20 by 0.5, giving us 40. So, the second missing number is 40.
As a result, the complete set of equivalent fractions is 2/5 = 8/20 = 4/40.