Question

Is 7/12 greater or less than or equal to 2/3? Help, Thank you if you helped

Answer 1

in order to be able to compare the 2 numbers easily they need to have the same denominator.

The easiest way to find a common denominator is to multiply the 2 denominators together (this in not necessarily the LOWEST common denominator - but it doesn't matter in this case).

SO what is the denominator if you multiply the two denominators of

7/12 and 2/3 ?

Answer 2

36?
Or does the 2/3 equal 8/12?

Answer 3

36 is correct

so:
\[\frac{ 7 }{ 12}= \frac{ ? }{ 36 }\]

\[\frac{ 2 }{ 3 } = \frac{ ? }{ 36}\]

You can then easily see which number is bigger

Answer 4

(and BTW - you are correct that 2/3 = 8/12. That is the quickest and most direct solution. But the way I suggest works for all combinations of denominator)

Answer 5

Do I multiply 12 x 7 and 12 x 12, then 12 x 2 and 12 x 3(36) and this will show me the greater fraction?

Answer 6

no
to convert 12 to 36 you multiply by 3 - so multiply 7 by 3
to convert 3 to 36 you multiply by 12 - so multiply 2 by 12...