How to Compare Fractions?

A Step-by-step guide to comparing fractions

Fractions are a portion of a whole, to determine the bigger one, you must determine which fraction contains more of the whole.

If their denominators are the precisely same, the fraction having the larger numerator is the more considerable one.

A fraction having a littler numerator is the smaller one.

Should both their numerators and the denominators be equal, the fractions are likewise identical.

If the denominator of the fraction is not the same, find the common denominator and convert the fractions into two fractions with the same denominator and then compare.

Comparing Fractions-Example 1:

Compare \(\frac{1}{2}\), \(\frac{2}{5}\).

Solution: The denominators of the fractions are different. So, find the \(LCM\) of \(2\) and \(5\). \(LCM(2, 5) = 10\)

\(\frac{1}{2}×\frac{5}{5}=\frac{5}{10}\)

\(\frac{2}{5}×\frac{2}{2}=\frac{4}{10}\)

\(\frac{5}{10}>\frac{4}{10}\)\(\rightarrow \frac{1}{2}>\frac{2}{5}\)

Exercises for Comparing Fractions

Compare each fraction.

1. \(\color{blue}{\frac{2}{7}, \frac{2}{3}}\)
2. \(\color{blue}{\frac{5}{8},\:\frac{7}{12}}\)
3. \(\color{blue}{\frac{1}{6},\:\frac{1}{4}}\)
4. \(\color{blue}{\frac{6}{9},\:\frac{3}{4}}\)

1. \(\color{blue}{\frac{2}{7}<\frac{2}{3}}\)
2. \(\color{blue}{\frac{5}{8}>\:\frac{7}{12}}\)
3. \(\color{blue}{\frac{1}{6}<\:\frac{1}{4}}\)
4. \(\color{blue}{\frac{6}{9}<\:\frac{3}{4}}\)