how do use approximation to tell which fraction is greater
To compare two fractions using approximation, you can follow these steps:
1. Convert the fractions to decimals: Divide the numerator by the denominator for both fractions.
2. Round the decimals to a predetermined number of decimal places, such as two decimal places.
3. Compare the rounded decimals. The greater rounded decimal indicates the greater fraction.
Let's take an example to understand this:
Consider the fractions 3/4 and 7/8.
Step 1: Convert fractions to decimals:
3/4 = 0.75
7/8 = 0.875
Step 2: Round the decimals to two decimal places:
0.75 ≈ 0.75 (rounded to two decimal places)
0.875 ≈ 0.88 (rounded to two decimal places)
Step 3: Compare the rounded decimals:
Since 0.88 is greater than 0.75, we can conclude that 7/8 is greater than 3/4.
By using approximation, we can quickly determine which fraction is larger without performing complex calculations or finding a common denominator.