Compare the fractions: 2/4 ☐ 4/8
Understand the Problem
The question asks to compare two fractions, 2/4 and 4/8, and determine whether 2/4 is greater than, less than, or equal to 4/8, then indicate this inequality.
Answer
$\frac{2}{4} = \frac{4}{8}$
Answer for screen readers
$\frac{2}{4} = \frac{4}{8}$
Steps to Solve
- Simplify the first fraction $\frac{2}{4}$
Divide both numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2.
$$ \frac{2 \div 2}{4 \div 2} = \frac{1}{2} $$
- Simplify the second fraction $\frac{4}{8}$
Divide both numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 4.
$$ \frac{4 \div 4}{8 \div 4} = \frac{1}{2} $$
- Compare the simplified fractions
We have $\frac{1}{2}$ and $\frac{1}{2}$. Since both fractions are the same, the two fractions are equal.
- Indicate the inequality
The correct symbol to use is $=$.
$\frac{2}{4} = \frac{4}{8}$
More Information
Both fractions are equal to one-half ($1/2$).
Tips
A common mistake may be not simplifying the fractions and incorrectly assuming that $\frac{4}{8}$ is greater than $\frac{2}{4}$ because 4 is greater than 2 and 8 is greater than 4 but this is false since the fractions are equal, recognizing the need to simplify the fractions first avoids this error.
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