Comparing Fractions

Comparing fractions means determining the larger and the smaller fraction between any two or more fractions. Since fractions are made up of two parts - a numerator and a denominator, they are compared using a certain set of rules. Let us learn more about comparing fractions in this page.

Comparing fractions involves a set of rules related to the numerator and the denominator. When any two fractions are compared, we get to know the greater and the smaller fraction. We need to compare fractions in our everyday lives. For example, when we need to compare the ratio of ingredients while following a recipe or to compare the scores of exams, etc. So, let us go through the different methods of comparing fractions to understand the concept better.

What is a Fraction?

Before exploring the concept of comparing fractions, let us recall fractions. A fraction is a part of a whole and it consists of two parts - the numerator and the denominator. The numerator is the number on the upper part of the fractional bar and the denominator is located below the fractional bar.

Now, let us discuss more about comparing fractions.

For comparing fractions with the same denominators, it becomes easier to determine the greater or the smaller fraction. After checking if the denominators are the same, we can simply look for the fraction with the bigger numerator. If both the numerators and the denominators are equal, the fractions are also equal. For example, let us compare 6/17 and 16/17

• Step 1: Observe the denominators of the given fractions: 6/17 and 16/17. The denominators are the same.
• Step 2: Now, compare the numerators. We can see that 16 > 6.
• Step 3: The fraction with the larger numerator is the larger fraction. Therefore, 6/17 < 16/17.

For comparing fractions with unlike denominators, we need to convert them to like denominators, for which we should find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the denominators. When the denominators are made the same, we can compare the fractions easily. For example, let us compare 1/2 and 2/5.

• Step 1: Observe the denominators of the given fractions: 1/2 and 2/5. They are different. So, let us find the LCM of 2 and 5. LCM(2, 5) = 10.
• Step 2: Now, let us convert them in such a way that the denominators become the same. Let us multiply the first fraction with 5/5, that is, 1/2 × 5/5 = 5/10.
• Step 3: Now, let us multiply the second fraction with 2/2 that is, 2/5 × 2/2 = 4/10.
• Step 4: Compare the fractions: 5/10 and 4/10. Since the denominators are the same, we will compare the numerators, and we can see that, 5 > 4.
• Step 5: The fraction with the larger numerator is the larger fraction, that is, 5/10 > 4/10. Therefore, 1/2 > 2/5

It should be noted that if the denominators are different and the numerators are the same, then we can easily compare fractions by looking at their denominators. The fraction with a smaller denominator has a greater value and the fraction with a larger denominator has a smaller value. For example, 2/3 > 2/6.

In this method, we compare the decimal values of fractions. For this, the numerator is divided by the denominator and the fraction is converted into a decimal. Then, the decimal values are compared. For example, let us compare 4/5 and 6/8.

• Step 1: Write 4/5 and 6/8 in decimals. 4/5 = 0.8 and 6/8 = 0.75.
• Step 2: Compare the decimal values. 0.8 > 0.75
• Step 3: The fraction with a larger decimal value would be a larger fraction. Therefore, 4/5 > 6/8

We can use various graphical methods and models to visualize larger fractions. Observe the figure given below which shows Model A and B that represent two fractions. We can easily determine that 4/8 < 4/6 because 4/6 covers a larger shaded area than 4/8. Note that the smaller fraction occupies a lesser area of the same whole. A point to be taken into consideration here is that the size of models A and B should be exactly the same for the comparison to be valid. Each model is then divided into equal parts equivalent to their respective denominators.

For comparing fractions using cross multiplication, we multiply the numerator of one fraction with the denominator of the other fraction. Let us understand this with the help of an example. Compare 1/2 and 3/4. Observe the figure given below which explains this better.

• Step 1: When we cross multiply the given fractions for comparing them, we need to keep in mind that if we are multiplying the numerator of the first fraction with the denominator of the second fraction, we should write the product next to the first fraction. Here, 1 × 4 = 4, and we will write 4 next to the first fraction. (Write the product on the side of the selected numerator)
• Step 2: Similarly, when we are multiplying the numerator of the second fraction with the denominator of the first fraction, we should write the product next to the second fraction. Here, 3 × 2 = 6, and we will write 6 near the second fraction.
• Step 3: Now, compare the products 4 and 6. Since 4 < 6, the respective fractions can be easily compared, that is, 1/2 < 3/4. Therefore, 1/2 < 3/4

☛ Related Topics

• Types of Fractions
• Comparing Fractions Calculator
• Multiplying Fractions
• Division of Fractions
• Decimals and Fractions

What does Comparing Fractions Mean?

Comparing fractions means comparing the given fractions in order to tell if one fraction is less than, greater than, or equal to the other fraction. Like whole numbers, we can compare fractions using the same symbols: <,> and =. There are various methods and rules to compare fractions, depending upon the numerator and the denominator and the kind of fractions given.

What is the Rule of Comparing Fractions with the Same Denominator?

When the denominators of the given set of fractions are the same, the fraction with the smaller numerator is the smaller fraction and the fraction with the larger numerator is the larger fraction. When the numerators are equal, the fractions are considered to be equal. For example, if we need to compare 2/5 and 4/5, we just need to check and compare the numerators. Since 2 < 4, it can be said that 2/5 < 4/5.

What is the Rule when Comparing Fractions with the Same Numerator?

When the fractions have the same numerator, the fraction with the smaller denominator is greater. For example, let us compare fractions with the same numerator. The given fractions are 1/2, and 1/6. Now out of these, the fraction with the smaller denominator is 1/2. Thus, 1/2 is the larger of the given fractions.

What are Equivalent Fractions?

The fractions that have different numerators and denominators but are equal in their values are called equivalent fractions. For example, 5/10, and 6/12 are equivalent fractions since both of them are equal to 1/2 when simplified.

What is the Easiest Way of Comparing Fractions?

The easiest and fastest way to compare fractions is to convert them into decimal numbers. The fraction with the larger decimal value is the larger fraction.

Why do we Need to Compare Fractions?

Comparing fractions is an important component, which helps students develop their number sense about the fraction size. This helps them realize that the strategies they use to compare whole numbers do not necessarily apply while comparing fractions. For example, 1/4 is greater than 1/8 even though the whole number 8 is greater than 4.

How to Compare Fractions with Different Denominators?

In order to compare fractions with different denominators, we need to find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the denominators and convert the given fractions to like fractions by making their denominators the same and then the numerators can be easily compared. For example, let us compare 7/12 and 9/16.

• Step 1: Since the given fractions have different denominators, we will find the LCM of the denominators. The LCM of 12 and 16 = 48.
• Step 2: Now, we will convert the fractions in such a way that the denominators become the same. Let us multiply the first fraction with 4/4, that is, 7/12 × 4/4 = 28/48.
• Step 3: Now, let us multiply the second fraction with 3/3 that is, 9/16 × 3/3 = 27/48.
• Step 4: Compare the fractions: 28/48 and 27/48. Since the denominators are the same, we will compare the numerators, and we can see that 28 > 27.
• Step 5: The fraction with the larger numerator is the larger fraction, that is, 28/48 > 27/48. Therefore, 7/12 > 9/16