Lesson 6: Compare Fractions

Property

To accurately compare fractions or determine if they are equivalent, the wholes they are parts of must be identical in size.
A fraction's value is relative to the size of its whole.

Examples

Property

To efficiently compare two fractions, choose a strategy by checking for relationships:

1. Common Denominator: Use when denominators are the same or one is a multiple of the other.
2. Common Numerator: Use when numerators are the same or one is a multiple of the other.
3. Benchmark Comparison: Use when one fraction is clearly greater than a benchmark (like $\frac{1}{2}$) and the other is clearly less.

Examples

Property

To compare two fractions, $\frac{a}{b}$ and $\frac{c}{d}$, in a real-world context, plot them on a number line.
The fraction located further to the right is the greater fraction.
If $\frac{a}{b}$ is to the right of $\frac{c}{d}$, then $\frac{a}{b} > \frac{c}{d}$.
If they are at the same point, then $\frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d}$.

Examples