Question

Explain how you can use of fraction strips to determine which fraction is the biggest: 1/4 or 1/5?

Answer 1

Answer:

by cross multiplying method

Answer 2

Given,

The first fraction$\[ = \frac{1}{4}\]$

The second fraction$\[ = \frac{1}{5}\]$

Solution,

Equate the denominators.

Therefore,

$\[\begin{array}{l} \Rightarrow \frac{1}{4}\\ \Rightarrow \frac{{1 \times 5}}{{4 \times 5}}\\ \Rightarrow \frac{5}{{20}}\end{array}\]$

Similarly,

$\[\begin{array}{l} \Rightarrow \frac{1}{5}\\ \Rightarrow \frac{{1 \times 4}}{{5 \times 4}}\\ \Rightarrow \frac{4}{{20}}\end{array}\]$

Compare the fractions.

$\[\begin{array}{l} \Rightarrow \frac{5}{{20}} > \frac{4}{{20}}\\ \Rightarrow \frac{1}{4} > \frac{1}{5}\end{array}\]$

Hence, the larger fraction is $\[\frac{1}{4}.\]$