Problem 1 · Compare to a benchmark · 3 points
Made by AI and not reviewed by a real person.
Which of these fractions is the largest?
- 2/5
- 1/2
- 5/11
- 3/7
- 4/9
Show a hint
- Compare fractions two at a time using cross-products. Keep track of the larger fraction as you check the others, rather than judging by numerators alone.
- For example, to compare 3/7 and 4/9, compare 3 × 9 with 4 × 7. Then compare the larger fraction with one you have not checked yet.
Show the answer and solution
Answer: B — 1/2
Compare 1/2 with each other fraction by cross-multiplying: 1 × 5 = 5 > 2 × 2 = 4, 1 × 7 = 7 > 3 × 2 = 6, 1 × 9 = 9 > 4 × 2 = 8, and 1 × 11 = 11 > 5 × 2 = 10. So 1/2 is larger than every other fraction. The trap is choosing 5/11 because 5 is the largest numerator; its denominator is larger too, and 5/11 is less than 1/2.