Name Date
WORKSHEET 2.4: COMPARING RATIONAL NUMBERS
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Every rational number can be paired with a point on a number line. A number is larger than
any number to its left and smaller than any number to its right.
0
−½ ½ 1¼ 1½ 1¾
− 2 − 1
− 1 − 1
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You can compare rational numbers by using a number line or writing equivalent fractions.
After writing equivalent fractions, compare the numerators using > (greater than) or<
(less than). Remember to include any negative signs.
EXAMPLE
Compare−
7
8
and−
9
10
.
−
7
8
=
− 7 × 5
8 × 5
=
− 35
40
−
9
10
=
− 9 × 4
10 × 4
=
− 36
40
Because− 35 >−36,−
7
8
>−
9
10
.
DIRECTIONS: Compare each pair of numbers by using>or<.
- −
1
3
,−
3
8
1
2
,−
3
5
- −
1
8
,
1
8
- −
4
5
,−
6
10
- 4
4
5
,4
3
4
- − 9
7
10
,− 9
2
3
CHALLENGE:Jillian compared−
1
4
and−
2
5
this way: She said that
1
4
<
2
5
.
Because−
1
4
is the opposite of
1
4
and−
2
5
is the opposite of
2
5
,−
1
4
>−
2
5
.Is
her answer correct? Explain.
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Copyright
©
2011 by Judith A. Muschla, Gary Robert Muschla, and Erin Muschla. All rights reserved.