Compare Negative Fractions: Finding the Relation Between -1/2 and -1/4

Great question! When numbers become negative, they flip positions on the number line. Think of it like debt: owing $0.25 is better than owing$0.50!

Draw a number line with 0 in the middle. -1/2 = -0.5 goes further left, while -1/4 = -0.25 stays closer to zero. Closer to zero means greater value!

Convert to decimals first! $-\frac{1}{2} = -0.5$ and $-\frac{1}{4} = -0.25$. Then remember: -0.25 is closer to zero, so it's larger.

No! You only flip when multiplying or dividing by a negative number. When just comparing negative values, use the number line to see which is further right (closer to zero).

Not directly! First compare the positive versions: $\frac{1}{2}$ vs $\frac{1}{4}$. Since $\frac{1}{2} > \frac{1}{4}$, then $-\frac{1}{2} < -\frac{1}{4}$.