Which will have minimum change in its value if 5 is added

Which one of the following will have minimum change in its value if 5 is added to both numerator and the denominator of the fractions 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/6 ?

  1. 2/3
  2. 3/4
  3. 4/5
  4. 5/6
  • Answer: The correct option is D
  • Explanation:

    Method I:

    Original fractions and their decimal values are:

    2/3 = 0.666

    3/4 = 0.750

    4/5 = 0.800

    5/6 = 0.833

    The new fractions (after adding 5 to numerator and denominator) and their decimal values are:

    7/8 = 0.875

    8/9 = 0.888

    9/10 = 0.900

    0/11 = 0.909

    Now, change in values of fractions are:

    (7/8) - (2/3) = 0.875 - 0.666 = 0.209

    (8/9) - (3/4) = 0.888 - 0.750 = 0.138

    (9/10) - (4/5) = 0.900 - 0.800 = 0.100

    (10/11) - (5/6) = 0.909 - 0.833 = 0.076

    The minimum change in value is in the fraction 5/6.

    Method II:

    Bigger are the values in the numerator and denominator, the less will be the impact of any addition.

    For example, compare 1/2 = 0.500 and 9/10 = 0.900.

    If we add 1 in numerator and denominator of both, we get 2/3 = 0.667 and 10/11 = 0.909

    As 5/6 has the biggest digits in numerator and denominator, it will be least impacted.

  • Exam Year: 2020