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Year 3

Compare fractions with the same numerator

I can compare fractions with the same numerator.

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New
New
Year 3

Compare fractions with the same numerator

I can compare fractions with the same numerator.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. To compare fractions with the same numerator, the whole must be the same.
  2. When the numerators are the same, the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction.
  3. When the numerators are the same, the smaller the denominator, the larger / greater the fraction.

Common misconception

When a number is higher, its value is greater. Pupils may struggle to understand that as the denominator gets larger / greater, the size of the parts get smaller.

Show pupils lots of images, comparing fractions with the same numerator (e.g. one-fifth and one-third and then two-fifths and two-thirds). Highlight that even though the number of parts we have is the same, the size of those parts is different.

Keywords

  • Denominator - A denominator is the bottom number written in a fraction.

  • Numerator - A numerator is the top number written in a fraction.

Pupils compare fractions with the same numerator but different denominators, realising that, in this instance, the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction. Ensure that children are encouraged to say the key stem sentences each time they describe a representation to help make sense of it.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Sofia is comparing $$\frac{3}{8}$$ and $$\frac{5}{8}$$ Which of these are true?
Correct answer: $$\frac{3}{8}$$ is less than $$\frac{5}{8}$$
$$\frac{3}{8}$$ is greater than $$\frac{5}{8}$$
$$\frac{3}{8}$$ is equal to $$\frac{5}{8}$$
Q2.
Jacob is comparing $$\frac{7}{12}$$ and $$\frac{9}{12}$$ Which of these statements are true?
Correct answer: $$\frac{7}{12}$$ is less than $$\frac{9}{12}$$
$$\frac{7}{12}$$ is greater than $$\frac{9}{12}$$
$$\frac{7}{12}$$ is equal to $$\frac{9}{12}$$
Q3.
Which fraction would appear on a number line between $$\frac{2}{5}$$ and $$\frac{4}{5}$$?
An image in a quiz
$$\frac{1}{5}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{3}{5}$$
$$\frac{3}{6}$$
$$\frac{3}{3}$$
Q4.
Which fractions would appear on a number line between $$\frac{5}{12}$$ and $$\frac{9}{12}$$?
An image in a quiz
$$\frac{4}{12}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{7}{12}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{8}{12}$$
$$\frac{10}{12}$$
Q5.
Which is the missing denominator?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 5, five
Q6.
What is the missing denominator?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 12, twelve

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which symbol would make this correct?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: <
=
>
Q2.
Which symbol would make this correct?
An image in a quiz
<
=
Correct answer: >
Q3.
What fraction would be positioned between $$\frac{3}{9}$$ and $$\frac{3}{7}$$ on the number line?
An image in a quiz
$$\frac{3}{6}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{3}{8}$$
$$\frac{4}{7}$$
Q4.
Jacob has ordered three fractions. What denominator is missing from one of the fractions?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 10
Q5.
Order these fractions from smallest to greatest.
1 - $$\frac{5}{10}$$
2 - $$\frac{5}{7}$$
3 - $$\frac{5}{6}$$
Q6.
Order these fractions from greatest to smallest.
1 - $$\frac{3}{5}$$
2 - $$\frac{3}{7}$$
3 - $$\frac{3}{11}$$
4 - $$\frac{3}{13}$$