Which of the following fractions is closest to \(\dfrac12?\)
A. \(\dfrac47\)
B. \(\dfrac59\)
C. \(\dfrac6{11}\)
D. \(\dfrac7{13}\)
E. \(\dfrac9{16}\)
Answer: D
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Which of the following fractions is closest to \(\dfrac12?\)
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regor60
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Looking at the answer choices, each of A, B ,C and D are 1/2 point away in the numerator from making the division equal to 1/2.
So, A, B and C can be eliminated because with their lower denominators compared to D, the 1/2 point difference in the numerator will render them farther away from 1/2 than D.
E. has its numerator a full point away from 1/2, so not looking good for that choice.
Next step is just to compare D and E.
D. 7/13= 14/26. 14/26 - 13/26=
1/26
E. 9/16=18/32. 18/32 - 16/32= 2/32=
1/16.
So D. is closer to 1/2 than E
So, A, B and C can be eliminated because with their lower denominators compared to D, the 1/2 point difference in the numerator will render them farther away from 1/2 than D.
E. has its numerator a full point away from 1/2, so not looking good for that choice.
Next step is just to compare D and E.
D. 7/13= 14/26. 14/26 - 13/26=
1/26
E. 9/16=18/32. 18/32 - 16/32= 2/32=
1/16.
So D. is closer to 1/2 than E
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Brent@GMATPrepNow
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Let's check the answer choices...
A) 4/7
3.5/7 = 1/2. So, 4/7 is 0.5/7 away from 1/2
Since 0.5/7 = 1/14, we can say that 4/7 is 1/14 away from 1/2
B) 5/9
4.5/9 = 1/2. So, 5/9 is 0.5/9 away from 1/2
Since 0.5/9 = 1/18, we can say that 5/9 is 1/18 away from 1/2
C) 6/11
Using the same logic, we can say that 6/11 is 1/22 away from 1/2
D) 7/13
Likewise, 7/13 is 1/26 away from 1/2
E) 9/16
And 9/16 is 1/16 away from 1/2
Of the BLUE fractions, 1/26 is the SMALLEST
So, the correct answer is D
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Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
