How can you tell which fractions represent a umber that is less than 1% without doing any computation? .02/5, .2/5, 2/5, 2/50, 2/500.

I know the numbers less than 1% are .02/5 and 2/500, but how do you know without doing the computation

Convert the given fraction to an equivalent fraction with either 1 or 100 as the denominator.

We know that 1% = 1/100 = 0.01/1
So say,
0.2/5 = 0.004/1 < 0.01=1%
2/500 = 0.4/100 < 1/100 = 1%
etc.

Thank You Damon and MathMate

You're welcome.

Also note a correction is required:
0.02/5 = 0.004/1 < 0.01=1%

To determine which fractions represent a number that is less than 1%, you can compare the numerator to the denominator. One percent is equivalent to 1/100.

First, convert all the fractions to their decimal form to make it easier to compare.

- Convert .02/5 to decimal form: divide .02 by 5 to get 0.004.
- Convert .2/5 to decimal form: divide .2 by 5 to get 0.04.
- Convert 2/5 to decimal form: divide 2 by 5 to get 0.4.
- Convert 2/50 to decimal form: divide 2 by 50 to get 0.04.
- Convert 2/500 to decimal form: divide 2 by 500 to get 0.004.

Now, compare the decimals to 1/100.

- 0.004 is less than 0.01 (1/100), so .02/5 represents a number less than 1%.
- 0.04 is greater than 0.01 (1/100), so .2/5 does not represent a number less than 1%.
- 0.4 is greater than 0.01 (1/100), so 2/5 does not represent a number less than 1%.
- 0.04 is greater than 0.01 (1/100), so 2/50 does not represent a number less than 1%.
- 0.004 is less than 0.01 (1/100), so 2/500 represents a number less than 1%.

Therefore, the fractions that represent numbers less than 1% are .02/5 and 2/500.