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Comparing Fractions

Comparing fractions is a skill kids aquire at quite a young age - long before they know anything about math! Try cutting two very unequal sizes of birthday cake at a preschoolers birthday party and wait for the immediate, "That's not a fair share!" from one of the little guests!

They can 'visually' see the difference. Then their journey starts, taking on a mathematical meaning in Kindergarten and First Grade, when the ancor numbers of 0, 1/2 and 1 are understood. Then we move on to more of the common fractions such as 1/4's, 1/3's. 1/5's, 1/6's, 1/8's and 1/12's and of course the concepts of the math symbols <, = and >, during the study of inequalities.

Using the following steps, comparing fractions should be straight forward, but will take time. It's a new skill, and one that must be practiced, just like reading and writing.

Comparing fractions where the numerator is 1 and the denominator is from a range greater than 1.
The larger the denominator the smaller the portion. Fraction circles are a great fraction manipulative to teach this concept.
Comparing fractions where the numerator is any number from a range greater than 1, and the denominator remains the same.
The larger the numerator, the larger the portion.
Comparing fractions where the numerator and denominator are any number from a range greater than 1.
This will often require finding common denominators so comparrisons can be made.

When your child is at Stage 3, this is simply when things start getting interesting, and is quite straight forward. You must simply find the common denominator of all the fractions you are comparing. That is, you simplify the fractions untill they all have the same denominator. I deal with this in detail on the common denominator section or reducing fractions page.

Example 1: Reducing Method

Example 2: Common Denominator Method

I hope you enjoy this section of K6Math.com

Don't forget to practice! You can find lot's of comparing fractions worksheets at our printable fraction worksheets section. Move from comparing fractions to printable math worksheets home page or K6Math numbers section.

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