Comparing Fractions

Sometimes we need to compare two fractions to discover which is larger or

smaller.

There are two main ways to compare fractions: using decimals, or using

the same denominator.

The Decimal Method of Comparing

Fractions
Convert each fraction to decimals, and then compare the decimals.

Example: which is bigger: 38 or 512 ?

Convert each fraction to a decimal.

We can use a calculator (3÷8 and 5÷12), or the method on Converting

Fractions to Decimals.

Anyway, these are the answers I get:

38 = 0.375, and 512  = 0.4166...

So 512  is bigger.

The Same Denominator Method

The  denominator  is the bottom number in a fraction.

It shows how many equal parts the item is divided into

When two fractions have the same denominator they are easy to compare:

 Example:   49 is less than 59 (because 4 is less than 5)

 is less than 

49   59

But when the denominators are not the same we need to make them the
same (using Equivalent Fractions).

Example: Which is larger: 38 or 512 ?

Look at this:

 When we multiply 8 × 3 we get 24,

 and when we multiply 12 × 2 we also get 24,

so let's try that (important: what we do to the bottom we must also do to the
top):

  ×3     ×2  

3 9 5 10
 =  and  = 
8 24 12 24

  ×3     ×2  

We can now see that 924 is smaller than 1024 (because 9 is smaller than 10).

so 512 is the larger fraction.

 is less than 

38   512 
Making the Denominators the Same
There are two main methods to make the denominator the same:

 Common Denominator Method, or the

 Least Common Denominator Method

They both work, use which one you prefer!

Example: Which is larger: 56 or 1115 ?

Using the Common Denominator method we multiply each fraction by the

denominator of the other:

  × 15     ×6  

5 75 11 66
 =  and  = 
6 90 15 90

  × 15     ×6  

We can see that 7590 is the larger fraction (because 75 is more than 66)

so 56 is the larger fraction.

 is more than 

56   1115