2019 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 3

Problem 3

Which of the following is the correct order of the fractions $\frac{15}{11},\frac{19}{15},$ and $\frac{17}{13},$ from least to greatest?

$\textbf{(A) }\frac{15}{11}< \frac{17}{13}< \frac{19}{15} \qquad\textbf{(B) }\frac{15}{11}< \frac{19}{15}<\frac{17}{13} \qquad\textbf{(C) }\frac{17}{13}<\frac{19}{15}<\frac{15}{11} \qquad\textbf{(D) } \frac{19}{15}<\frac{15}{11}<\frac{17}{13} \qquad\textbf{(E) } \frac{19}{15}<\frac{17}{13}<\frac{15}{11}$

Solution 1

We take a common denominator: $$\frac{15}{11},\frac{19}{15}, \frac{17}{13} = \frac{15\cdot 15 \cdot 13}{11\cdot 15 \cdot 13},\frac{19 \cdot 11 \cdot 13}{15\cdot 11 \cdot 13}, \frac{17 \cdot 11 \cdot 15}{13\cdot 11 \cdot 15} = \frac{2925}{2145},\frac{2717}{2145},\frac{2805}{2145}.$$

Since $2717<2805<2925$ it follows that the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}\frac{19}{15}<\frac{17}{13}<\frac{15}{11}}$.

-xMidnightFirex

~ dolphin7 - I took your idea and made it an explanation.

Solution 2

When $\frac{x}{y}>1$ and $z>0$, $\frac{x+z}{y+z}<\frac{x}{y}$. Hence, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}\frac{19}{15}<\frac{17}{13}<\frac{15}{11}}$. ~ ryjs

This is also similar to Problem 20 on the AMC 2012.

Solution 3 (probably won't use this solution)

We use our insane mental calculator to find out that $\frac{15}{11} \approx 1.36$, $\frac{19}{15} \approx 1.27$, and $\frac{17}{13} \approx 1.31$. Thus, our answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}\frac{19}{15}<\frac{17}{13}<\frac{15}{11}}$.

~~ by an insane math guy.

Solution 4

Suppose each fraction is expressed with denominator $2145$: $\frac{2925}{2145}, \frac{2717}{2145}, \frac{2805}{2145}$. Clearly $2717<2805<2925$ so the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}}$.

Solution 5 -SweetMango77

We notice that each of these fraction's numerator $-$ denominator $=4$. If we take each of the fractions, and subtract $1$ from each, we get $\frac{4}{11}, \frac{4}{15}$, and $\frac{4}{19}$. These are easy to order because the numerators are the same, $\frac{4}{11}>\frac{4}{13}>\frac{4}{15}$. Because it is a subtraction by a constant, in order to order them, we keep the inequality signs to get $\boxed{\text{(E)}\;\frac{15}{11}>\frac{17}{13}>\frac{19}{15}}.$