Fractions can be arranged in either ascending or descending order of magnitude. Ascending order is the arrangement from the lowest to the highest number while descending is the arrangement from the highest number to the lowest.
Note:
Due to the complex nature of fractions unlike whole numbers you
can’t get your answer by only applying the ascending and descending order rule
you’ll have to either take all the fractions to percentage or decimals before
arranging accordingly.
Example 1; Arrange
the following in descending order of magnitude: 5/9, 7/15,
11/20, 3/8.
Solution
Before arranging these fractions in descending order, let’s first
convert it to percentage!
5/9 × 100 = 55.6%
7/15 × 100 = 46.7%
11/20 × 100 = 55%
3/8 × 100 = 37.5%
Now, let’s arrange in descending order (remember highest to
lowest percentage) according to the instruction given in the question.
The highest should be 5/9 because it
has the highest percentage followed by 11/20 and so on.
Ok!
Therefore, the arrangement should be; 5/9,
11/20, 7/15, 3/8
respectively.
Example 2; Arrange
the following in ascending order of magnitude: 3/4, 2/3,
1/2, 5/8, 5/12.
Solution
Let’s convert these fractions to decimals before arranging
them in ascending order. You can either use long division or calculator to get
your decimal number.
3/4 = 0.75
2/3 = 0.67
1/2 = 0.5
5/8 = 0.63
5/12 = 0.42
The lowest value should be 5/12
because it has the lowest decimal followed by 1/2 and so
on.
Now, let’s arrange;
5/12, 1/2, 5/8,
2/3, 3/4. (Answer)
Note;
Ascending order is also the same thing as increasing order
while descending order is the same thing as decreasing order.
Practice these
questions below for further understanding;
1. Arrange the following in descending order of magnitude:
(a) 4/7, 3/5, 11/10,
14/15.
(b) 5/6, 11/18, 7/12,
8/9, 2/5.
(c) 4/9, 11/24, 8/15,
12/20.
(d) 2/3, 3/4, 15/19,
10/11, 7/8.
2. Arrange the following in increasing order of magnitude:
(a) 11/13, 8/15,
6/8, 1/3.
(b) 12/17, 7/34,
2/3, 5/6.
(c) 5/8, 5/6, 11/16,
3/4.
(d) 11/15, 5/12,
19/23, 7/18.
3. Find the greatest of 5/61/3, 2/71/6
and 11/21/4.