Question

A blue paper clip is 1/6 inch wide . A silver paper clip is 3/8 inch wide, and a red paper clip is 1/3 inch wide. What color paper clip has the smallest widths

Answer 1

We have to make all the fractions have the same denominator in order to compare them, so we have to find the GCM(greatest common factor). The greatest common factor is 24, so....

3 x 3 = 9    

8 x 3 = 24

9/24

1 x 4 = 4

6 x 4 = 24

4/24

1 x 8 = 8

3 x 8 = 24

8/24

Now we have the fractions 9/24, 8/24, and 4/24. We can compare the numerators and find the smallest number. The length of the blue paper clip which is 4/24 is the smallest width.