Compare fractions

Question

Which of the following is a tgrue statement:

a.2/3<5/6

b.1/5<1/6

c.1/10>7/12

d.1/4<1/10

 

Answer 1

The key to comparing fractions is setting the denominators to be equal.  So in B for instance:

 

1/5 < 1/6 (the lowest common denominator of 5 & 6 is 30)

6/30 < 5/30

 

This is obviously false.  Try it with the other 3 and see if you can find the answer.

Answer 2

Common denominators always work. Yet an alternative is reasoning.

a.

use common denominators

true

b.

if the two numerators are equal, the larger the denominator the smaller the fraction.

false

c.

you have two pizzas, one cut into 10 pieces, the other into 12.

which is more, 1 out of the 10, or 7 out or 12?

false.

d.

this is the same reason as b.

false

Answer 3

Get common denominators for each pair of fractions.

 

2/3 = 4/6  so 2/3<5/6 is a true statement.

 

1/5 = 6/30 and 1/6 = 5/30 so the statement is false.

 

1/10 = 6/60 and 7/12 = 35/60  so the statement is false.

 

1/4 = 5/20 and 1/10 = 2/20 so the statement is false.