How do you know if a fraction is smaller?

Answer 1

If one fraction is negative and one is positive, you automatically know that the negative fraction is smaller.

If both fractions are positive and have the same denominator, the one with the smallest numerator is smaller.

If both fractions are negative and have the same denominator, the one with the larger numerator is smaller.

If fractions have different denominators, convert the fractions to the same denominator to find which one is smaller. For example:

2/5 and 1/3

2/5 = 6/15

1/3 = 5/15

1/3 is smaller than 2/5.

If the above fractions were negative, -6/15 is less than -5/15.

Answer 2

Suppose you have the fractions a/b and c/d where b and d are both positive.[If not, then multiply the numerator and denominator by -1 and the fraction will meet that requirement.]

Then a/b < c/d if a*d < b*c or, equivalently, bc - ad > 0.