Date: 15-10-20

3) Comparing when the numerators and denominators are different

Steps
1) Find the LCM of the denominators.
2) Convert fractions in to equivalent fractions with same denominator
3) Compare the equivalent fractions
1 2
Eg: Compare , ,
3 4
3 3, 4
2 1, 4
2 1, 2
1 1×4 4
= = LCM = 3X2X2 = 12
3 3×4 12
2 2×3 6
= =
4 4×3 12
4 6
<
12 12
1 2
So, <
3 4

Compare using < , > or =

7 2
a) ,
8 3

2 8, 3
7 7×3 21
= = 2 4, 3
8 8×3 24

2 2, 3
2 2×8 16
= = 3 1, 3
3 3×8 24
21 16
> 1,1
24 24
7 2
So,
8
> 3
LCM = 2x2X2X3 = 24
 9 7
b) 10
,
8
2 10 , 8

5 5 , 4
9 9× 4 36
= = 2 1 ,4
10 10×4 40

2 1, 2
7 7×5 35
= = 1,1
8 8×5 40
36 35
> LCM = 2x5x2x2 = 40
40 40
9 7
So, 10
> 8

7 3
c) 10
,
4
2 10 , 4

5 5, 2
7 7×2 14
= = 2 1,2
10 10×2 20

1 , 1
3 3×5 15
= = LCM = 2x5X2 = 20
4 4×5 20
14 15
<
20 20
7 3
So, 10
< 4
3 1
d) , 2 4, 5
4 5
3 3×5 15
= = 2 2,5
4 4×5 20
1 1×4 4
= = 5 1,5
5 5×4 20
15 4
> 1,1
20 20
LCM = 2x2x5 = 20
3 1
So, >
4 5
Homework (15-10-20)
3 2 1 5
e) , f) ,
4 3 12 7
2 3 4 3
g) , h) ,
8 5 5 4