how do i put fractions in order from least to greatest? it's on my homework and i am totally lost. i forgot because i learned this like 2-3 years ago. please help me!
You can either change the fractions to decimals or you can change them to fractions with a common denominator.
Certainly! Putting fractions in order from least to greatest involves comparing their values. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
1. Find a common denominator: Start by finding a common denominator for all the fractions. This is the same as finding a common multiple for the denominators.
For example, if you have the fractions 1/4, 3/8, and 2/3, the common denominator can be found by determining the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators (4, 8, and 3). In this case, the LCM is 24, so you need to convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 24.
- 1/4 = (1/4) × (6/6) = 6/24
- 3/8 = (3/8) × (3/3) = 9/24
- 2/3 = (2/3) × (8/8) = 16/24
2. Order the fractions: Once you have all the fractions with the same denominator, you can compare their numerators. Start with the fraction with the smallest numerator and continue in ascending order.
In this example, the ordered fractions would be: 6/24, 9/24, 16/24.
3. Simplify (if necessary): If the fractions can be simplified, do so after ordering them. In this case, 6/24, 9/24, and 16/24 can all be divided by 3.
The simplified fractions would be: 2/8, 3/8, 4/8.
4. Final order: The final step is to compare the simplified fractions, if applicable, to ensure they are in order from least to greatest.
Based on the simplified fractions, the ordered fractions would be: 2/8, 3/8, 4/8.
Therefore, from least to greatest, the fractions would be 2/8, 3/8, and 4/8.
Remember, it's essential to have a common denominator before comparing fractions to ensure accurate ordering.