Comparing Fractions

Comparing Fractions

Comparing Fractions with the Same Denominator

If the denominators of two fractions are the same, the fraction with the largest numerator is the larger fraction.

for example

1/4 is less than 3/4 (because 1 is less than 3)

Comparing Fractions with the Same Numerator

If the numerators of two fractions are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is the larger fraction.

for example

Comparing Unlike Fractions 

But if the denominators are not the same you need to make them the same. Multiply the numerator and denominator of one fraction by the same number so both fractions will have the same denominator.

for example;

Which is larger: 7/12 or 5/8 ?

Now we can easily see that 15/24 is the larger fraction

so 5/8 is the larger fraction

Question 1: Which one of the following fractions is the largest?

Answer 1: To compare the fractions, we need to write each of them as an equivalent fraction with a common denominator i.e. we must find the least common multiple of 4, 36, 9 and 6.

Since 4, 9 and 6 are all factors of 36, the least common multiple is 36

So change them all to equivalent fractions with denominator 36:

Now they all have the same denominator, we just need to find the one with the largest numerator, which is 30