please help me with this math problem thanxs..?

Question

i don't understand this.. if > means greater than, and < means less than... how can i solve this math problem?

1.) compare using < or > 2/3 12/17

that math problem is not asking me greater than or less than, so what is it asking me to compare? i know i have to cross multiply...

Answer 1

No, I think it's asking you to compare the two fractions so you don't need to multiply.

Easiest way is to turn each fraction into a number with decimals:

2/3 = 0.6667
12/17 = 0.7059

0.6667 is smaller than 0.7059, therefore yur answer should look like this:

2/3 < 12/17

Answer 2

Yes, you ARE being asked which is greater and which is lesser. The answer is either

2/3 < 12/17

or

2/3 > 12/17

The fractions need to have a common denominator so you can compare them. 3 and 17 are both prime numbers, so their least common multiple is 3*17=51.

2/3 = 34/51 12/17 = 36/51

Now you can see that 12/17 is larger (by 2/51).

Answer 3

It is asking you to determine which one is bigger.
Once you know which one is bigger, then you can put the appropriate sign between them.

Your answer will be either:
2/3 > 12/17
or
2/3 < 12/17

(You have to determine which is correct)

Hint, put both fractions on a common denominator.
Or you can use a calculator to find the approximate decimal value of each fraction to figure out which is bigger.

Answer 4

It appears to me it is asking you if 2/3 is less than or greater than 12/17.

2/3 - - - - - - - 3 divided by 2 = 1.5

12/17 - - - - - 17 divided by 12 = 1.4166666

So is 2/3 less than or greater than 12/17?

Answer 5

2/3 < 12/17
12/17 > 2/3