Question

Equalise the denominators to determine which number is bigger and which smaller.

(8) $-5,\frac{-15}{4}$

Answer 1

$-5,\frac{-15}{4}$
L.C.M of 1 and 4 is 4.

$$\begin{gathered} \therefore -5=\frac{-5}{1}=\frac{-5\times 4}{1\times 4}=\frac{-20}{4} \\ \mathrm{And}\frac{-15}{4}=\frac{-15\times 1}{4\times 1}=\frac{-15}{4} \end{gathered}$$
Denominators of both the numbers are same; therefore, the rational number with the greater numerator will be greater.
$$\begin{gathered} \therefore \frac{-15}{4}>\frac{-20}{4} \\ \therefore \frac{-15}{4}>-5 \end{gathered}$$