Page 177 - New Medley 5 Semester 1
P. 177

Comparing and Ordering of Fractions



        In  the  previous  classes,  we  have  already  learnt  how  to  compare  two
        fractions. Let us recall them and extend our understanding.


          Z Z Unit  fractions or fractions with  the same  numerator:  Ali shares  an
            apple with his 3 friends including himself. Razia shares an apple of the

            same size with her 4 friends including herself. Can you decide who gets
            the larger piece of the apple—Ali or Razia?

                                              1
            Ali gets one-third, i.e.,             part of the apple.
                                              3

                                                    1
            Razia gets one-fourth, i.e.,                part of the apple.
                                                    4

            It means, Ali gets a larger piece of the apple than Razia.

                                              1      1          1      1
            i.e.,                                >      or          <
                                              3      4          4      3

            We  can  say, when  the numerator  is constant  and the denominator

            goes on increasing, the fraction goes on decreasing.

            In other  words, we  can  say  that  if  the numerators  of the fractions
            are the same, the fraction having the lower denominator is greater.


          Z Z Like fractions: Consider the shaded and unshaded parts of each of the
            following shapes.


                                                 3                            5          3     5
                                     Shaded                   Unshaded                      <
                                                 8                            8          8     8



                                                  9                           7           9       7
                                     Shaded                   Unshaded                        >
                                                 16                          16          16      16



                                                  9                           4           9       4
                                     Shaded                   Unshaded                        >
                                                 13                          13          13      13


            In like fractions (or fractions with same denominator), the fraction with
            the smaller numerator is smaller.


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