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Compare Fractions with the Same Denominator

Students will compare two fractions that share the same denominator by reasoning that when the whole is split into the same number of equal parts, the fraction with more parts is greater. They will use symbols (<, >, =) and justify comparisons with visual models or number lines.

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Compare Fractions with the Same Denominator

Grade 3 · Comparing Fractions · question 1 of 3

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12 rungs. A star at the top.

Which of these makes 4/4 > blank true: 2/4, 4/4, 8/4 or 9/4?

How it is taught

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When bottoms match, look at the tops.

More same-size parts means more.

Read it: Same pieces, compare the tops

5/8 and 3/8 are both cut into eighths. 5 eighths is more than 3 eighths, so 5/8 > 3/8.

  1. Check that the bottom numbers match: both are 8.
  2. The pieces are the same size, so count them: 5 and 3.
  3. More pieces is more: 5/8 > 3/8.

Same bottom number, same whole: every piece is 1/8.

When the pieces are equal, the top number says how many you have.

5 pieces of 1/8 cover more than 3 pieces of 1/8.

When the bottom numbers match, the bigger top number is the bigger fraction.

Saying 5/8 and 3/8 are equal, because both bottom numbers are 8.

The bottoms say the pieces match. Compare the tops: 5 > 3.

7/8 ___ 4/8 — >. Same pieces, so compare the top numbers: 7 > 4, so 7/8 > 4/8.

3/5 vs 2/5

Today we're comparing two fractions. Which is bigger — three-fifths or two-fifths?

Here are our two fractions: three-fifths and two-fifths.

Look at the bottom numbers — the denominators. They're both five! That means each whole is split into the same number of equal parts.

Three-fifths means three of those five equal parts are shaded.

Two-fifths means only two of the five equal parts are shaded.

The pieces are the SAME size. So the fraction with more shaded pieces is bigger.

Three pieces is more than two pieces.

So three-fifths is greater than two-fifths. We write it with the greater-than sign.

When denominators match, just compare the top numbers — the numerators.

Which is bigger: 35 or 25?Compare 35 and 25Fraction AFraction B3525Same denominator: 5 equal parts3 of 5 parts shaded2 of 5 parts shadedSame-size pieces — just count them!3 pieces > 2 pieces35>25Same denominator? Compare numerators.ANSWER35 > 25bigger numerator wins
Grade 3 · Same-size pieces, just count them

Three-fifths is greater than two-fifths. Same denominator, bigger numerator wins!

What you see

While they climb, your page writes one true line to ask about tonight, and a short note each Sunday.

MayaGrade 3 · Mathematics
Did you know?

A chessboard has 64 squares — share them out between the 8 rows and each row holds exactly 8.

Today’s goal
1 star — one skill mastered, every rung of its ladder climbed
Climbing now
Divide within 100

An example student.

MayaGrade 3 · Mathematics

Maya earned 2 stars this week — Interpret multiplication as equal groups, which took 6 answers over 3 days before its star landed 3 days ago and Multiply by 6, 7, 8 and 9. Next up: Divide within 100.

An example week.

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