Question

Compare the fractions. Use <, =, or >. -2/3 -2/8

Answer 1

Answer:

$-\frac{2}{8} >-\frac{2}{3}$

Step-by-step explanation:

To compare fractions is useful to express the fractions as decimals and compare the values of the decimals first.

Using a calculator we can find that $-\frac{2}{3} =-0.66666...$ and $-\frac{2}{8} =-0.25$.

Now, remember that wen comparing negative numbers the smallest number is the greater one; this is because the closest a negative number is to zero the greatest is value.

-0.66666... and -0.25 are both negative. Since -0.25 is smaller (closer to zero), -0.25 is bigger than -0.66666... In other words, -0.25 > -0.66666...

We know that $-\frac{2}{3} =-0.66666...$ and $-\frac{2}{8} =-0.25$, so we can get back to our original fractions:

$-\frac{2}{8} >-\frac{2}{3}$

We can conclude that $-\frac{2}{8}$ is greater than $-\frac{2}{3}$