Compare and sort the fractions in ascending order: 42, 43, 17/40. Common ordinary fractions compared and sorted in ascending order, result explained below

Sort: 42, 43, 17/40

To compare and sort multiple fractions, they should either have the same denominator or the same numerator.

The operation of sorting fractions in ascending order:
42, 43, 17/40

Analyze the fractions to be compared and ordered, by category:

1 positive proper fraction: 17/40


positive integer numbers: 42, 43

How to compare and sort the fractions in ascending order, by categories:

- any positive proper fraction is smaller than...


- any positive integer number.



Sort the positive integer numbers in ascending order:
42 and 43

Sort the integer numbers in ascending order.

This is a simple case of comparing and sorting integer numbers.


The integer numbers are a particular case of those fractions that have a denominator equal to 1.


Any integer number 'n' can be written as a fraction with a denominator of 1. Starting from here, by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by the same number, an integer number can be written as a multitude of equivalent fractions:


n = n/1 = (2 × n)/2 = (3 × n)/3 = ...


Example: 3 = 3/1 = (2 × 3)/2 = 6/2 = (3 × 3)/3 = 9/3 = ...


The integer numbers sorted in ascending order:
42 < 43


::: The operation of comparing fractions :::
The final answer:

Sort the positive integer numbers in ascending order:
42 < 43

All the fractions sorted in ascending order:
17/40 < 42 < 43

How are the numbers written: comma ',' used as a thousands separator; point '.' as a decimal separator; numbers rounded off to max. 12 decimals (if the case). Used symbols: '/' the fraction bar; ÷ dividing; × multiplying; + plus (adding); - minus (subtracting); = equal; ≈ approximately equal.

Other similar operations

Compare and sort the fractions in ascending order:
52/5, 52/8, 26/49

Compare and sort common ordinary fractions, online calculator:

The latest common ordinary fractions compared and sorted in ascending order

Tutoring: Comparing ordinary fractions

How to compare two fractions?

1. Fractions that have different signs:

  • Any positive fraction is larger than any negative fraction:
  • ie: 4/25 > - 19/2

2. A proper and an improper fraction:

  • Any positive improper fraction is larger than any positive proper fraction:
  • ie: 44/25 > 1 > 19/200
  • Any negative improper fraction is smaller than any negative proper fraction:
  • ie: - 44/25 < -1 < - 19/200

3. Fractions that have both like numerators and denominators:

  • The fractions are equal:
  • ie: 89/50 = 89/50

4. Fractions that have unlike (different) numerators but like (equal) denominators.

  • Positive fractions: compare the numerators, the larger fraction is the one with the larger numerator:
  • ie: 24/25 > 19/25
  • Negative fractions: compare the numerators, the larger fraction is the one with the smaller numerator:
  • ie: - 19/25 < - 17/25

5. Fractions that have unlike (different) denominators but like (equal) numerators.

  • Positive fractions: compare the denominators, the larger fraction is the one with the smaller denominator:
  • ie: 24/25 > 24/26
  • Negative fractions: compare the denominators, the larger fraction is the one with the larger denominator:
  • ie: - 17/25 < - 17/29

6. Fractions that have different denominators and numerators (unlike denominators and numerators).

More on ordinary (common) fractions / theory: