解$:$要比较$\frac {1}{a}$与$\frac {1}{b}$的大小,可采用作差法。$\frac {1}{a} - \frac {1}{b} = \frac {b - a}{ab}。$
当$ab > 0$时,若$b > a,$则$\frac {1}{a} > \frac {1}{b};$
若$b < a,$则$\frac {1}{a} < \frac {1}{b};$
若$b = a,$则$\frac {1}{a} = \frac {1}{b}。$
当$ab < 0$时,若$b > a,$则$\frac {1}{a} < \frac {1}{b};$
若$b < a,$则$\frac {1}{a} > \frac {1}{b}。$