Fractions Greater Than, Less Than, or Equal to

Remember! The hungry alligator always eats the largest number.

Which is greater 1/2 or 1/2? 1/2 = 1/2 1/2 1/2

One written as a fraction looks like 1/1 Which is greater 1/2 or 1? 1 > 1/2 1/2 1/2 One written as a fraction looks like 1/1

Which is greater 1/4 or 1/2? 1/4 1/4 < 1/2 1/2

Which is greater 1/4 or 1/8? 1/8 1/8 1/4 1/4 > 1/8 1/8 1/4 1/8

Which is greater 1/8 or 1/2? 1/8 1/8 1/8 1/8 < 1/8 1/2 1/2

Which is greater 1/3 or 1/6? 1/6 1/3 1/3 > 1/6

Which is greater 1/2 or 1/6? 1/6 1/2 > 1/6 1/6 1/2 1/6

Which is greater 1/5 or 1/10? 1/10 1/5 1/10 1/5 > 1/10

When the numerators are the same, all you have to do is look at the denominator. Bigger denominators mean the size of the pieces the whole has been divided into are smaller. So, the fraction with the smaller denominator is actually the bigger fraction. Let’s try a few…

½ ¼ >

1/8 1/5 <

1/3 1/10 >

1/6 1/6 =

What about when both the numerator & the denominator are different?

We have to find a way to compare.

More on that later…