SOLUTION: what rational number is greater? 5 over 16 or 7 over 18? show all steps please thanks soo much!

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Question 21061: what rational number is greater?
5 over 16
or
7 over 18?
show all steps please
thanks soo much!

Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You can either find a common denominator or express the fractions as decimals. What method do you prefer? I guess the decimal method is too easy, so let's do it the other way.
5%2F16 compared to 7%2F18

Usually we find the LCD, but in this case it will be easier to just use the product of the denominators for the common denominator. That would be 16%2A18, and you don't even have to calculate it!

In order to make a comparison, multiply the first fraction by 18%2F18 and the second by 16%2F16.

5%2F16 compared to 7%2F18
%285%2F16%29%2A%2818%2F18%29 compared to %287%2F18%29%2A%2816%2F16%29
90%2F%2816%2A18%29 compared to 112%2F%2818%2A16%29

This means that the second fraction is larger.
%287%2F18%29%3E%285%2F16%29

R^2 at SCC