I need to write numbers in increasing order. Exapmle 7/2,3/4,-1/3,0 how do I know which fractions bigger ?

Question

I read somewhere that you had to find the common denominator is that true? How?

Answer 1

convert the fractions to decimals

Answer 2

you can do the common denominator, you can just get the decimal answer.

for common denoms, you need each bottom part to be the same. For that example it would be 12, each one of the denominators can go into 12. Now you figure out how many times it does, and times that by the top.

So for 7/2... 2 goes into 12, 6 times. So times 7 by 6 and you get 42/12.

3/4 you get 4 goes into 12 3 times, so 3 times 3 is 9... totaling 9/12

the last one is 3 into 12 which is 4 times. 4 times -1 is -4... so -4/3

you should be able to scan them and see that 7/2 is greater than 1, 3/4 is less than 1 but greater than 0, and -1/3 is a negative number.

Answer 3

if you divide the numerator by the denominator, you should get a decimal answer that's easier for you. for example...

7 divided by 2 = 3.5

3 divided by 4 = .75

-1 divided by 3 = -.33

so in this set of numbers, -.33 is the smallest, .75 is bigger, and 3.5 is the biggest.

try and make a number line with this concept if you still don't understand.

Answer 4

Correct, a common denominator works, but you can also convert to decimals and that would be easier.