Is 1/4 greater than 1/3? Why?

Step-by-step explanation: Notice that the fractions that we're comparing in this problem have different denominators.

When fractions have different denominators, they're called unlike fractions. To compare unlike fractions, we must first get a common denominator.

The common denominator of 4 and 3 will be the least common multiple of 4 and 3 or 12. To get a 12 in the denominator of 1/4, we multiply the numerator and the denominator by 3 which gives us 3/12. To get a 12 in the denominator of 1/3, we multiply the numerator and the denominator by 4 which gives us 4/12.

Now we have the fractions 3/12 and 4/12.

The fraction with the greater denominator is larger so 4/12 is bigger which means that 1/3 is bigger.

Step-by-step explanation:

1/3 is greater than 1/4 because 1/3 as a decimal is 0.3333333333 while 1/4 as a decimal is 0.25. The decimal of 1/3 is larger than the decimal of 1/4.