Comparing Fractions
To compare two or more fractions:
Step 1 Find the LCD of the fractions.
Step 2 Change the fractions to higher terms using the LCD.
Step 3 Compare the numerators.
EXAMPLE
Which is larger:^38 or^47?
SOLUTION
3
8
¼
21
56
and
4
7
¼
32
56
Since 32 is larger than 21, the fraction^47 is larger than^38.
PRACTICE
Which is larger:
1.
11
16
or
5
8
?
2.
2
5
or
3
7
?
3.
7
10
or
3
4
4.
8
9
or
5
6
?
5.
3
8
or
2
3
?
ANSWERS
1.
11
16
2.
3
7
3.
3
4
74 CHAPTER 4 Fractions: Part 2