Which is greater?

Question

-1/3 or -2/7

Answer 1

The easiest way to see this is by finding a common denominator for the two fractions. What is the denominators' least common multiple? 3 & 7 both are factors of 21 (their LCM). So,

 

(7/7)*(-1/3)= -7/21

 

(3/3)*(-2/7)= -6/21

 

Be careful to note that these are both negative numbers and so that means the greater one will be closer to 0 on the number line. (On the "negative" side of the number line, the farther away you go, the smaller the number.)

 

-7/21 < -6/21, or:

 

-1/3 < -2/7