Which expression is the greatest

Question

Which expression is the greatest?

(A)  \frac{1876452}{1876455}

(B)  \frac{1883456}{1883459}

(C)  \frac{1883491}{1883494}

(D)  \frac{1883446}{1883449}

(E)  \frac{1883453}{1883456}

C 
 Source:   GMAT Club Tests  - hardest GMAT questions

chicagocubsrule · Answer

C
The larger the numerator and denominator are (and the discrepancy between the 2 remains constant) the closer that fraction is to 1.
So:
1/2 is smaller than 49/50 and 49/50 is smaller than 99/100.

durgesh79 · Answer

(1876455- 3) / 1876455
(1883459 - 3) / 1883459
(1883494 - 3) / 1883494
(1883449- 3) / 1883449
(1883456 - 3) / 1883456

1 - 3/1876455
1 - 3/1883459
1 - 3/1883494
1 - 3/1883449
1 - 3/1883456

1883494 is the highest number, Right option is C

tusharvk · Answer

I got to C somewhat indirectly.
I said that we need the highest numerator and lowest denominator. Then I agrued that 1/2 is less than 2/3 is less than 3/4 and therefore C.
Your method is very logical.

GMAT TIGER · Answer

You have my approach. 8-)

seofah · Answer

My friend, 
If you post Gmatclub Challenge questions, be kind and state the bloody source. You should be posting them in the relevant folder, in the first place. You can't just dump a quarter of a Challenge without citing the source. One could understand if the questions were not Challenge or GMATPrep questions. 
If you don't understand how much trouble it can cause, I am happy to explain it - just let me know.
sorry for offtop.

Snowingreen · Answer

very good question for testing number property

note this 
17/19 is greater than 16/18

but

19/17 is less than 18/16

bangalorian2000 · Answer

Its simple C.
Every expression has same difference of 3 between numerator and denominator so bigger the numerator bigger will be the expression.

hardnstrong · Answer

Good question

And i agree with the rest
IMO C

gmatbull · Answer

I think this is a Gmat Challenge Question. 
A is out.
B - E: of the format n/(n+3), n (183491) is greatest in C and it is the correct answer.

subhashghosh · Answer

1876452/1876455 = 1876455/1876455 - 3/1876455 = 1 - 3/1876455

1883456/1883459 = 1 - 3/1883459

1883491/1883494 = 1 - 3/1883494

1883446/1883449 = 1 - 3/1883449

1883453/1883456 = 1 - 3/1883453

Clearly, 3/1883494 is least, and hence C is the greatest in value.

htskumar · Answer

Answer C. Good explanations provided

DaVagabond · Answer

Ans C - went with the assumption that greater Numerator and greater Denominator would provide the largest fraction .

And finally found it to be true! Thanks to You Guys for the explanations.

Also I have a Question in case we have a Numerator greater than the Denominator like - 21/20, 32/33,/45/46.. Is It true that the smallest numericals of Numerator and Denominator would have the greatest fraction ???

Let me know.

AriBenCanaan · Answer

Suppose the question were to be reframed and we were asked to find the smallest number instead. It would be the number with the smallest numerator right? i.e. choice A?

asphalt · Answer

good one

Converting the form from a/b to (x-y)/x i.e. 1-y/x makes the question quiet simple.

C is the answer

vishnuns39620 · Answer

Thats the same logic I'd employ! This was one of the easier ones though

; Thanks for the explanation!! Regards, Vishnu

Which expression is the greatest

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