Is 1/3 Bigger Than 3/10?

Method 1: Common Denominators

To compare these fractions, we need a common denominator. The denominators are 3 and 10, and the least common denominator (LCD) is 30.

• Step 1. Convert \(\frac{1}{3}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 10.
  \[\frac{1}{3} = \frac{1 \times 10}{3 \times 10} = \frac{10}{30}\]
• Step 2. Convert \(\frac{3}{10}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 3.
  \[\frac{3}{10} = \frac{3 \times 3}{10 \times 3} = \frac{9}{30}\]
• Step 3. Compare the numerators: 10 vs 9.
• Step 4. Since 10 is greater than 9, we know that \(\frac{1}{3} > \frac{3}{10}\).

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

Method 3: Decimal Comparison

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

Since 0.333333 is greater than 0.3, we confirm that \(\frac{1}{3} > \frac{3}{10}\). In percentage terms, \(\frac{1}{3}\) is 33.3333% and \(\frac{3}{10}\) is 30%, a difference of 3.3333 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 30, we're cutting both quantities into equal-sized pieces. Then 10 pieces vs 9 pieces is a straightforward comparison.