Question

Which of the two rational number (7/-9) or (-5/8) grater in the pairs?

Answer 1

(7/-9) or (-5/8)

First we write each of the given numbers with a positive denominator.

= (7/-9)

= [(7× (-1))/ (-9×-1)]

= (-7/9)

The LCM of the denominators 9 and 8 is 72

∴ (-7/9) = [(-7×8)/ (9×8)] = (-56/72)

and (-5/8) = [(-5×9)/ (8×9)] = (-45/72)

Now, -56 < -45

⇒ (-56/72) < (-45/72)

⇒ (-7/9) < (-5/8)

Hence, (7/-9) < (-5/8)

∴ (-5/8) is greater.