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Ordering Fractions
. . .
Comparing Fractions without using a number line




SBI! Case Studies
Ordering Fractions -
Comparing Numbers without using a Number Line:

Comparing numbers directly, without using a number line, has many practical advantages because it does not require a physical drawing.

Although a number line provides a visual model which is easy to understand, it is not feasible to use it in most situations. The following limitations make a number line cumbersome and time consuming to use:
  • There is not enough space to physically plot more than a few numbers on the same line graph (number line).


  • Plotting extremely small numbers, or extremely large numbers, or numbers with completely different orders of magnitude, or numbers which are almost equal may each require dramatically different labeling of scale marks. In addition, each situation may require completely different intervals marked on the number line.
Comparing numbers directly eliminates the problems listed above. Direct comparison does not require a physical drawing.

Real Numbers are sequential. By comparing place values, any two numbers can be compared directly - once the numbers are written in the same standard notation.
. . . Fractions - Comparisons without using the number line:
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Compare the fractions Math - Fraction and Math - Fraction . (1) Convert the fractions so that both fractions have the same (common) denominator, then (2) compare the numerators with one another.

(1) Computing the Common Denominator

Math - Convert Fraction to Common Denominator Math - Convert Fraction to Common Denominator

(2) Comparing the Numerators

Math - Comparing Fractions - Inequality

Math - Fraction

is less than Math - Fraction

.

Math - Comparing Fractions - Inequality

Math - Fraction

is greater than Math - Fraction

.

Math - Comparing Fractions - Inequality





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