To determine which of the given fractions is the smallest, we'll compare each fraction step-by-step:
The fractions provided in the question are:
1. [tex]\( \frac{1}{3} \)[/tex]
2. [tex]\( \frac{3}{10} \)[/tex]
3. [tex]\( \frac{2}{5} \)[/tex]
4. [tex]\( \frac{3}{8} \)[/tex]
We need to compare these fractions and determine which one is the smallest. To do this, we can either find a common denominator for all the fractions or directly compare their decimal equivalents.
### Step-by-Step Comparison:
1. Convert each fraction to its decimal form:
- [tex]\( \frac{1}{3} \approx 0.3333 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \frac{3}{10} = 0.3 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \frac{2}{5} = 0.4 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \frac{3}{8} = 0.375 \)[/tex]
2. List the decimal values of each fraction for easy comparison:
- [tex]\( \frac{1}{3} \approx 0.3333 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \frac{3}{10} = 0.3 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \frac{2}{5} = 0.4 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \frac{3}{8} = 0.375 \)[/tex]
3. Compare the decimal values:
- [tex]\( 0.3 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( 0.3333 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( 0.375 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( 0.4 \)[/tex]
4. From the list of decimal values, it is clear that [tex]\( 0.3 \)[/tex] is the smallest value.
Therefore, among the given fractions, the smallest fraction is [tex]\( \frac{3}{10} \)[/tex].
