Is 1/4 Bigger Than 4/9?

Method 1: Common Denominators

To compare these fractions, we need a common denominator. The denominators are 4 and 9, and the least common denominator (LCD) is 36.

• Step 1. Convert \(\frac{1}{4}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 9.
  \[\frac{1}{4} = \frac{1 \times 9}{4 \times 9} = \frac{9}{36}\]
• Step 2. Convert \(\frac{4}{9}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 4.
  \[\frac{4}{9} = \frac{4 \times 4}{9 \times 4} = \frac{16}{36}\]
• Step 3. Compare the numerators: 9 vs 16.
• Step 4. Since 9 is less than 16, we know that \(\frac{1}{4} < \frac{4}{9}\).

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: \(1 \times 9 = 9\).
• Step 2. Multiply the numerator of the second fraction by the denominator of the first: \(4 \times 4 = 16\).
• Step 3. Compare the products: \(9 < 16\), so \(\frac{1}{4} < \frac{4}{9}\).

Method 3: Decimal Comparison

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

Since 0.25 is less than 0.444444, we confirm that \(\frac{1}{4} < \frac{4}{9}\). In percentage terms, \(\frac{1}{4}\) is 25% and \(\frac{4}{9}\) is 44.4444%, a difference of 19.4444 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 36, we're cutting both quantities into equal-sized pieces. Then 9 pieces vs 16 pieces is a straightforward comparison.