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4Jan/103

Comparison of Fractions

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Comparison of fractions: Suppose, some fractions are to be arranged in ascending or descending order of magnitude.

Fractions can be compared in many ways. Find below 4 different ways of doing it. If denominators are same, like 56/98 and 57/98, then just compare the numerators,
So the rule is:
a         b
--- > ---,       if  a > b
n         n
Since 56 < 57,
56/98 < 57/98.
They are in the same order as their numerators.
Second, suppose the numerators are the same, as in your problem, 5/9
and 5/6. Then it works the opposite way: The bigger the denominator, the smaller the fraction. So the rule
is:
n     n
--- > ---  if  a < b
a     b
Since 9 > 6, 5/9 < 5/6. They are in the reverse order of their
denominators.
Thirdly, in general cases, you simply convert the fractions to the first case, by giving them a common denominator.
You do not really have to worry about finding the least common denominator, though sometimes that will save a lot of work. Let us compare 5/9 and 4/7. Since we do not see any common factors immediately (and in fact there are not any), we can just multiply the denominators to get a common denominator, 63. To convert 5/9 to 63rds, we multiply
by 7; to convert 4/7 to 63rds, we multiply by 9:
5              4
--- ?       ---
9             7
5*7          4*9
---         ?     ---
9*7           7*9
35 < 36,
so
5            4
--- <     ---
9             7
You may not calculate the value of denominator because it will be same in both cases.
5*7=35          4*9=36; since this is bigger, 4/7 is bigger
\        /
5     4
--- ? ---
9     7
If there is a common multiple in denominators, for instance, which is bigger, 5/9 or 44/81? I see that
81 is a multiple of 9, so I do not have to go to the trouble of
multiplying 5 by 81 and 44 by 9; I just multiply 5 by 9 and compare to
44:
5         44
---     ? --
9          81
5*9       44
---     ?   --
9*9       81
45 > 44 so
5           44
--- >       --
9            81

Fractions can be compared in many ways. Find below 3 differnet ways of doing it.
If denominators are same, like 56/98 and 57/98, then just compare the numerators,
So the rule is:
a     b    --- > ---  if  a > b     n     n
Since 56 < 57, 56/98 < 57/98. They are in the same order as their numerators.
Second, suppose the numerators are the same, as in your problem, 5/9 and 5/6. Then it works the opposite way: The bigger the denominator, the smaller the fraction. So the rule is:     n     n    --- > ---  if  a < b     a     b
Since 9 > 6, 5/9 < 5/6. They are in the reverse order of their denominators.

Thirdly, in general cases, you simply convert the fractions to the first case, by giving them a common denominator. You do not really have to worry about finding the least common denominator, though sometimes that will save a lot of work. Let us compare 5/9 and 4/7. Since we do not see any common factors immediately (and in fact there are not any), we can just multiply the denominators to get a common denominator, 63. To convert 5/9 to 63rds, we multiply by 7; to convert 4/7 to 63rds, we multiply by 9:
5     4    --- ? ---     9     7
5*7   4*9    --- ? ---    9*7   7*9
35 < 36, so
5     4    --- < ---     9     7
You may not calculate the value of denominator because it will be same in both cases.

5*7=35          4*9=36; since this is bigger, 4/7 is bigger          \        /           5     4          --- ? ---           9     7
If there is a common multiple in denominators, for instance, which is bigger, 5/9 or 44/81? I see that 81 is a multiple of 9, so I do not have to go to the trouble of multiplying 5 by 81 and 44 by 9; I just multiply 5 by 9 and compare to 44:     5    44    --- ? --     9    81
5*9   44    --- ? --    9*9   81
45 > 44 so
5    44    --- > --     9    81
Finally, convert each one of the given fractions in the decimal form. Now, arrange them in ascending order

as per requirements.

Recurring Decimal: - If, in a decimal fraction, a figure or a set of figures is repeated continuously, then such a number is called a recurring decimal. In a recurring decimal, if a single figure is repeated, then it is expressed by putting a dot on it.  If a set of figures is repeated, it is expressed by putting a bar on the set.

Pure Recurring Decimal: A decimal fraction, in which all the figures after the decimal point are repeated, is called a pure recurring decimal e.g.  2/3 = 0.666…=0.6.

Converting a Pure Recurring Decimal into Vulgar Fraction:-Rule: - Write the repeated figures only once in the numerator and take as many nines in the denominator as is the number of repeating figures.

Decimal: - a decimal fraction in which some figures do not repeat and some of them are repeated is called a mixed recurring decimal, e.g. 0.173333…= 0.173.

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Comments (3) Trackbacks (0)
  1. kuch kam ka likho. aise waise kuch bhi mat likho. Ye bhi koi important bat thi ratio wali. cat me ye sab use karenge

  2. Hi and thank you for a intriguing article. I am still thinking over what you talked about.


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