Fixit Maths

Learning from Mistakes

Comparing fractions

When comparing fractions, we must consider both the numerator and denominator. If either are the same, we can compare the other.

As both fractions have the same denominator, the whole has been split into the same number of parts each time and the parts are therefore the same size. We can determine the larger fraction by looking at the numerators to see which is larger, indicating that there are more of the parts.
As the numerators are the same, we are looking at the same number of parts, so we must look at the denominators to see which parts are larger. In the fraction with the larger denominator, the whole has been split up into more parts, so each part will be smaller. The fraction with the smaller denominator shows that the whole has been split up into fewer parts, so they will be larger. So the smaller denominator indicates the larger fraction
Fractions
Fractions

If neither are the same, we must first make the fractions equivalent by finding a common denominator , to be able to compare like parts.

Understanding fractions as division can be useful when considering the relative size of fractions to compare them.