1. COMPARING FRACTIONS 1-29-13

2. Vocabulary  Mixed Fraction: Whole number mixed with a fraction (ex. 2 ½)  Improper Fraction: has a numerator greater than or equal to its denominator (ex. 10/3)  Lowest Common Denominator: when you have 2 (or more) fractions, it’s the lowest multiple that the denominators share  Ex. ½ and 1/3 The LCD is 6! (for 2 and 3)

3. How to change a mixed number to an improper fraction Ex. 2 1/3  First you have to multiply the denominator by the whole number (ex. 2 x 3=6)  Then you add the product to the numerator (ex. 6 + 1=7)  Last you put the sum on top of the original denominator (ex. 7/3)

4. Comparing fractions When you compare fractions, they must have the same denominator!!!! Ex. ½ compared to 1/3 1) Find the Lowest Common Denominator by listing multiples of the denominators 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10… 3: 3, 6, 9, 12… 2) Make an equivalent fraction using the LCD as the denominator 3) Don’t forget to switch back to the original fractions (answers need to be in simplest form!)