Is 3/8 Bigger Than 7/9?

Q: Which is bigger: 3/8 or 7/9?

7/9 is bigger. As a decimal, 7/9 = 0.777778 while 3/8 = 0.375.

Q: What is the difference between 3/8 and 7/9?

The difference is 29/72, which equals 0.402778 in decimal form (40.2778 percentage points).

Q: How do you compare 3/8 and 7/9?

You can use three methods: find a common denominator and compare numerators, cross-multiply and compare the products, or convert both fractions to decimals. All three methods confirm that 7/9 is greater than 3/8.

No, 3/8 is not bigger than 7/9. Hit Compare below to see the visual breakdown and step-by-step solution — or change the fractions to compare your own.

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How to Compare $\frac{3}{8}$ and $\frac{7}{9}$ Step by Step

Wondering how to figure out which fraction is bigger without a calculator? Comparing $\frac{3}{8}$ and $\frac{7}{9}$ is straightforward once you know the right approach. Below we walk through three proven methods for comparing fractions: finding a common denominator, cross multiplication, and converting to decimals. Each method will give you the same answer, so choose the one that feels easiest.

Method 1: Common Denominators

To compare these fractions, we need a common denominator. The denominators are 8 and 9, and the least common denominator (LCD) is 72.

Step 1. Convert $\frac{3}{8}$: multiply numerator and denominator by 9. $\frac{3}{8} = \frac{3 \times 9}{8 \times 9} = \frac{27}{72}$
Step 2. Convert $\frac{7}{9}$: multiply numerator and denominator by 8. $\frac{7}{9} = \frac{7 \times 8}{9 \times 8} = \frac{56}{72}$
Step 3. Compare the numerators: 27 vs 56.
Step 4. Since 27 is less than 56, we know that $\frac{3}{8} < \frac{7}{9}$.

Method 2: Cross Multiplication

A quicker way to compare fractions is to cross-multiply. Multiply each numerator by the other fraction's denominator:

Step 1. Multiply the numerator of the first fraction by the denominator of the second: $3 \times 9 = 27$.
Step 2. Multiply the numerator of the second fraction by the denominator of the first: $7 \times 8 = 56$.
Step 3. Compare the products: $27 < 56$, so $\frac{3}{8} < \frac{7}{9}$.

Method 3: Decimal Comparison

Convert each fraction to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator:

$\frac{3}{8}$ as a decimal 0.375

$\frac{7}{9}$ as a decimal 0.777778

Difference 0.402778

Since 0.375 is less than 0.777778, we confirm that $\frac{3}{8} < \frac{7}{9}$. In percentage terms, $\frac{3}{8}$ is 37.5% and $\frac{7}{9}$ is 77.7778%, a difference of 40.2778 percentage points.

Why Does This Work?

These fractions have different numerators and different denominators, so we can't compare them directly. By converting to a common denominator of 72, we're cutting both quantities into equal-sized pieces. Then 27 pieces vs 56 pieces is a straightforward comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger: 3/8 or 7/9?

$\frac{7}{9}$ is bigger. As a decimal, $\frac{7}{9}$ = 0.777778 while $\frac{3}{8}$ = 0.375.

What is the difference between 3/8 and 7/9?

The difference is $\frac{29}{72}$, which equals 0.402778 in decimal form (40.2778 percentage points).

How do you compare 3/8 and 7/9?

You can use three methods: find a common denominator and compare numerators, cross-multiply and compare the products, or convert both fractions to decimals. All three methods confirm that $\frac{7}{9}$ $>$ $\frac{3}{8}$.

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