Comparing & Ordering Fractions

Key TermsKey Terms

Fraction كسر

Ascending تصاعدي

Numerator البسط

Descending تنازلي

Denominator قاسم

Greater Than أكبرمنLess Than أقل منEqual يساوي

Least Common Denominator (LCD)اصغرقاسم مشترك

To compare (قارن) fractions you can draw a picture or

use the “Butterfly” method.

4

3

6

5<

Draw (رسم ) a pictureUse >, <, or =.

Use >, <, or =.

5

33

29 10<

<

“Butterfly” method

Use >, <, or =.

10

34

112 10>

>

“Butterfly” method

To order (النظام) fractions you can draw a picture or use the Least Common Denominator

(LCD).

4

3

6

5

Draw a picture

Ascending Order: least to greatest

2

1

4

32

1

6

5

Put the fractions in Ascending Order.

, ,

One way to compare or order fractions is to

express them with the same denominator.

Any common denominator could be used. But the

Least Common Denominator (LCD)

makes the computation easier.

The Least Common Denominator is the

Least Common Multiple of the denominators.

LCD = LCM

Use LCD

List the fractions in Descending Order (from greatest to least).

3

2,

9

5,

12

7,

6

1

Find the LCD

Step 1: Find the LCM of the denominators

3

2,

9

5,

12

7,

6

1

6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48…

LCD = 36

Find the LCD:

12: 12, 24, 36, 48 …

9: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45 …

3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24,

27, 30, 33, 36 …

Step 2: Write equivalent fractions.

6

1

36x 6

x 6 6 12

736x 3

x 3 21

9

536x 4

x 4 20 3

236x 12

x 1224

G LStep 3: Compare the numerators

6

1

36 6

12

73621

9

53620

3

23624

Descending Order In order from greatest to

least

6

1,

9

5,

12

7,

3

2

Now you’re

ready!!