How to Compare Fractions

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Determine whether or not the fractions have the same denominator.

   This is the first step to comparing fractions.
   
   The denominator is the number on the bottom of the fraction and the numerator is the number on top.
   
   For example, the fractions 5/7 and 9/13 do not have the same denominator, because 7 does not equal 13, so you'll have to take a few steps to compare them.If the denominator of the fractions is the same, then all you have to do is look at the numerator to know which fraction is greater.
   
   For example, with the fraction 5/12 and 7/12, you know that 7/12 is greater than 5/12 because 7 is greater than
   5.
2. 2

   Step 2: Find a common denominator.

   To be able to compare the fractions, you'll need to find a common denominator so you can figure out which fraction is greater.
   
   If you were adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, then it would be best to find the least common denominator for the fractions.
   
   But since you're just comparing the fractions, you can just take a shortcut and multiply the denominators of both fractions to find the common denominator. 7 x 13 = 91, so the new denominator will be
   91. , Now that you've changed the denominators of the fractions to 91, you'll need to change the numerators so the value of the fractions remains the same.
   
   To do this, you'll need to multiply the numerator of each fraction by the same number that you multiplied the denominator by to get
   91.
   
   Here's how you do it:
   With the original fraction 5/7, you multiplied 7 by 13 to get a new denominator of 91, so you'll need to multiply 5 by 13 to get the new numerator.
   
   You're essentially multiplying both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by 13/13 (which equals 1). 5/7 x 13/13 = 65/91.
   
   With the original fraction 9/13, you multiplied 13 by 7 to get a new denominator of 91, so you'll need to multiply 9 by 7 to get the new numerator. 9 x 7 = 63, so the new fraction is 63/91. , The one with the larger numerator is the greater fraction.
   
   So, the fraction 65/91 is greater than 63/91 because 65 is greater than
   63.
   
   This means that the original fraction, 5/7, is greater than 9/13.
3. 3

   Step 3: Change the numerators of the fractions.

4. 4

   Step 4: Compare the numerators of the fractions.

Detailed Guide

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