Title: Lesson 5-5
Author: mark_cameron
Last saved by: MHE
Company: McGraw-Hill

Lesson 4-6

Example 1 Compare Fractions
Replace the • with <, >, or = to make a true sentence.
7/9 • 5/6

Step 1 The LCM of the denominators, 9 and 6, is 18. So, the LCD is 18.

×3

×3

×2

×2

Step 2 Write an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 18 for each fraction.	7/9 = 14/18	5/6 = 15/18
			
Step 3 14/18 < 15/18, since 14 < 15. So, 7/9 < 5/6.

Example 2 Compare Mixed Numbers
Replace the • with <, >, or = to make a true sentence.
22/3 • 21/4
Since the whole numbers are the same, compare 2/3 and 1/4.
Step 1 The LCM of the denominators, 3 and 4, is 12. So, the LCD is 12.

×4

×3

Step 2 Write an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 12 for each fraction.	2/3 = 8/12	1/4 = 3/12

×4

×3

Step 3 8/12 > 3/12, since 8 > 3. So, 22/3 > 21/4. 

Example 3 Order Fractions
Order the fractions 5/8, 3/4, 5/6, and 1/2 from least to greatest.

The LCD of the fractions is 24. So, rewrite each fraction with a denominator of 24.

×12

×4

×6

×3

                            
5/8 = 15/24		3/4 = 18/24		5/6 = 20/24		1/2 = 12/24

×12

×4

×3

×6

Since 12/24 < 15/24 < 18/24 < 20/24, the order of the original fractions from least to 
greatest is 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 5/6.

Example 4 Standardized Test Practice
Music Preferences
jazz | 9/25
rock | 11/20
classical | 9/100
MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST ITEM
According to a survey, which type of music did most people prefer? 
A   jazz music
B   rock music
C   classical music
D   cannot tell from the data

Read the Test Item  You need to compare the fractions.

Solve the Test Item  

×1

×5

×4

Rewrite the fractions with the LCD, 100.

9/25 = 36/100	11/20 = 55/100	9/100 = 9/100	

×1

×5

×4

So, 11/20 is the greatest fraction, and the answer is B.