Comparing and Ordering Fractions
There are four strategies to compare and order fractions.
1.Number Strips
To order 3, 3, and 5 from least to greatest, fold or measure, then colour equal strips of paper. 4 5 8
The least fraction is the shortest
strip.
2. Fraction Circles
To compare 3 and 5, use fraction circles.
4 8
3
4
3 The order from least to greatest is 3, 5, 3
5 5 8 4
5
8
3 cover more of the circle than 5 do.
4 8
So, 3 > 5
4 8
3. Number Line
Draw a number line from 0 to 1. Divide the number line to show halves, fourths, and eighths. Mark and label 1, 3, 1, and 5.
2 4 4 8
The order from least to greatest is 1, 1, 5, 3
4 2 8 4
4. Equivalent Numerators or Denominators
List equivalent fractions until the numerators or the denominators are the same.
2 = 4 = 6 = 8 = 10 = 12 ...
3 6 9 12 15 18
3 = 6 = 9 = 12 = 15 ...
5 10 15 20 25
Since 6 > 6, then 2 > 3
9 10 3 5
Or, since 10 > 9, then 2 > 3
15 15 3 5
0 1 1 5 3 1
4 2 8 4
When the numerators are the same, the greater fraction has the lesser denominator.
When the denominators are the same, the greater fraction has the greater numerator.
