How_To_Be_Good_At_Math

48 NUMBERS • COMPARING FRACTIONS WITH THE SAME DENOMINATORS

Comparing fractions with

the same denominators

When we need to compare and order fractions, the first thing we

do is look at the denominators. If the denominators are the same,

all we need to do is put the numerators in order.

When the denominators

are the same, we can say that

the larger the numerator, the

greater the fraction.

All the fractions have the same

denominator, 8. Remember, the

denominator is the number at the bottom

of a fraction that tells us how many equal

parts a whole has been divided into.

Look at these fractions. How can we put

them in order, from smallest to largest?

Because these denominators are all

the same, all we need to do to compare

the fractions is look at the numerators.

The numerator tells us how many parts

of the whole we have. A bigger

numerator means more parts. So, let’s

put the fractions in ascending order (from

smallest to largest).

If we show these fractions as

peas in a pod, it’s easy to see

which ones are smallest and largest.

1 653

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

Numerator

Denominator

Smallest Largest

1 3 5 6

8 8 8 8

Largest fraction

5 613

048_049_Comparing_Fractions.indd 48 29/02/2016 16:39