Is 3/8 Bigger Than 5/9?

Method 1: Common Denominators

To compare these fractions, we need a common denominator. The denominators are 8 and 9, and the least common denominator (LCD) is 72.

• Step 1. Convert \(\frac{3}{8}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 9.
  \[\frac{3}{8} = \frac{3 \times 9}{8 \times 9} = \frac{27}{72}\]
• Step 2. Convert \(\frac{5}{9}\): multiply numerator and denominator by 8.
  \[\frac{5}{9} = \frac{5 \times 8}{9 \times 8} = \frac{40}{72}\]
• Step 3. Compare the numerators: 27 vs 40.
• Step 4. Since 27 is less than 40, we know that \(\frac{3}{8} < \frac{5}{9}\).

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: \(3 \times 9 = 27\).
• Step 2. Multiply the numerator of the second fraction by the denominator of the first: \(5 \times 8 = 40\).
• Step 3. Compare the products: \(27 < 40\), so \(\frac{3}{8} < \frac{5}{9}\).

Method 3: Decimal Comparison

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

Since 0.375 is less than 0.555556, we confirm that \(\frac{3}{8} < \frac{5}{9}\). In percentage terms, \(\frac{3}{8}\) is 37.5% and \(\frac{5}{9}\) is 55.5556%, a difference of 18.0556 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 72, we're cutting both quantities into equal-sized pieces. Then 27 pieces vs 40 pieces is a straightforward comparison.