Is 1/10 Bigger Than 9/11?

Method 1: Common Denominators

To compare these fractions, we need a common denominator. The denominators are 10 and 11, and the least common denominator (LCD) is 110.

• Step 1. Convert \(\frac{1}{10}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 11.
  \[\frac{1}{10} = \frac{1 \times 11}{10 \times 11} = \frac{11}{110}\]
• Step 2. Convert \(\frac{9}{11}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 10.
  \[\frac{9}{11} = \frac{9 \times 10}{11 \times 10} = \frac{90}{110}\]
• Step 3. Compare the numerators: 11 vs 90.
• Step 4. Since 11 is less than 90, we know that \(\frac{1}{10} < \frac{9}{11}\).

Method 2: Cross Multiplication

A quicker way to compare fractions is to cross-multiply. Multiply each numerator by the other fraction's denominator:

• Step 1. Multiply the numerator of the first fraction by the denominator of the second: \(1 \times 11 = 11\).
• Step 2. Multiply the numerator of the second fraction by the denominator of the first: \(9 \times 10 = 90\).
• Step 3. Compare the products: \(11 < 90\), so \(\frac{1}{10} < \frac{9}{11}\).

Method 3: Decimal Comparison

Convert each fraction to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator:

Since 0.1 is less than 0.818182, we confirm that \(\frac{1}{10} < \frac{9}{11}\). In percentage terms, \(\frac{1}{10}\) is 10% and \(\frac{9}{11}\) is 81.8182%, a difference of 71.8182 percentage points.

Why Does This Work?

These fractions have different numerators and different denominators, so we can't compare them directly. By converting to a common denominator of 110, we're cutting both quantities into equal-sized pieces. Then 11 pieces vs 90 pieces is a straightforward comparison.