Is 3/7 Bigger Than 1/12?

Method 1: Common Denominators

To compare these fractions, we need a common denominator. The denominators are 7 and 12, and the least common denominator (LCD) is 84.

• Step 1. Convert \(\frac{3}{7}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 12.
  \[\frac{3}{7} = \frac{3 \times 12}{7 \times 12} = \frac{36}{84}\]
• Step 2. Convert \(\frac{1}{12}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 7.
  \[\frac{1}{12} = \frac{1 \times 7}{12 \times 7} = \frac{7}{84}\]
• Step 3. Compare the numerators: 36 vs 7.
• Step 4. Since 36 is greater than 7, we know that \(\frac{3}{7} > \frac{1}{12}\).

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: \(3 \times 12 = 36\).
• Step 2. Multiply the numerator of the second fraction by the denominator of the first: \(1 \times 7 = 7\).
• Step 3. Compare the products: \(36 > 7\), so \(\frac{3}{7} > \frac{1}{12}\).

Method 3: Decimal Comparison

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

Since 0.428571 is greater than 0.083333, we confirm that \(\frac{3}{7} > \frac{1}{12}\). In percentage terms, \(\frac{3}{7}\) is 42.8571% and \(\frac{1}{12}\) is 8.3333%, a difference of 34.5238 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 84, we're cutting both quantities into equal-sized pieces. Then 36 pieces vs 7 pieces is a straightforward comparison.