COMPARING FRACTIONS What is Comparing Fractions? • When comparing fractions, you are finding which fraction is greater and which fractions is less than the other. • Similar to comparing numbers, there are symbols to use when comparing fractions. < is the symbol used for less than > is the symbol used for greater than = is the symbol used for equal to How to Compare Fractions: • When the two fractions being compared have the same denominator, simply look at the numerator to figure out which fraction is greater than or less than. Example: 3 2 4 ___4 These two fractions share the same denominator. The numerator in the first fraction is three, which is larger than the numerator in the second or the number two. Therefore, ¾ is greater than 2/4 or: 3 2 4__>_4 • When the two fractions have different denominators, first find a common denominator to help compare. Then continue on as you did with the above example. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Example: 1 3 4 ___ 8 These two fractions have different denominators. A common denominator for these two fractions would be 8. The second fraction will remain the same. In order to change the first fractions, the top and the bottom are both multiplied by 2. 1 x 2 4 x 2 The first fraction becomes 2/8. Now you can compare these two fractions easily. 2 3 8 __<_ 8 Try This! Compare the following fractions. Write the correct symbol on the line. ¼ ____ 2/4 3/5 ____ 2/5 8/10 ____ 3/10 1/3 ____ 2/6 4/5 ____ 3/10 2/3 ____ 4/12 © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.