Fractions
GradesGrade 3FractionsComparing Fractions

Comparing Fractions

🍕 Fractions
⚖️

Comparing Fractions

Which fraction is bigger? Use same denominators, same numerators, or benchmarks!

To COMPARE fractions, use a smart strategy. When fractions have the same denominator, compare numerators. When they have the same numerator, the smaller denominator wins. For others, use 1/2 as a benchmark!

Strategy 1 — Same denominators:

1If denominators are equal, just compare the numerators
3/8 vs 5/8: same denominator (8), compare 3 and 5
5 > 3, therefore 5/8 > 3/8
4"More pieces of the same size = bigger total!"

Strategy 2 — Same numerators:

1If numerators are equal, compare denominators
1/3 vs 1/6: same numerator (1), compare 3 and 6
3Smaller denominator = BIGGER fraction (fewer cuts = larger slices)
1/3 > 1/6 because thirds are larger slices than sixths

Same denominator

3/8 < 5/8 (3 < 5, same slice size)7/10 > 4/10 (7 > 4)

Same numerator

1/3 > 1/6 (thirds bigger than sixths)2/5 > 2/8 (fifths bigger than eighths)

Check first if numerators OR denominators match — that makes comparing much easier!

🍕Benchmark strategy using 1/2
Compare 3/8 vs 5/6:

3/8: Is numerator (3) more or less than half of denominator (8÷2=4)? Less → 3/8 < 1/2
5/6: Is numerator (5) more or less than half of denominator (6÷2=3)? More → 5/6 > 1/2

Conclusion: 3/8 < 1/2 < 5/6, so 3/8 < 5/6!
38<12<56\frac{3}{8} < \frac{1}{2} < \frac{5}{6}
✏️ Try It!

Which fraction is greater: 3/4 or 3/8?

💡

Remember This!

Think pizza: 1/4 of a pizza is a BIGGER slice than 1/8, because you cut it fewer times. More cuts → smaller slices!

Practice with CalcVerse
🥧Fraction Pie & Bar
Take Quiz 📝 — 25 Questions