Fractions » Comparing fractions

When you compare fractions, you can make the denominators equal. Multiply the numerator and the denominator with the same number so the ratio of the fractions remains the same.

Because you can estimate where a fraction is on the number line, you do not always have to do this. You can know that 18 is smaller than 25. When the numerators are equal, you can also easily tell which one is smaller. For example 524 is of course smaller than 58.

Example
Write the fractions 13, 25 en 38 in ascending order.

Answer:
As the fractions are near each other on the number line, we will give them the same denominator. The lowest common multiple is 120.

13 = 40120
25 = 48120
38 = 45120

In ascending order: 13, 38 en 25.