--- title: "Comparing fractions" description: "Compare and order unit fractions, and fractions with the same denominator" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-fractions-mt_IfEgu0X449 source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-fractions-mt_IfEgu0X449.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Comparing fractions Compare and order unit fractions, and fractions with the same denominator Subject: Mathematics · Area: Fractions · Ages 7 to 8 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-fractions-mt_IfEgu0X449 ## Ready when they can - Order 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5 from largest to smallest - Explain that a larger denominator means smaller unit fractions - Compare 2/5 and 4/5 and explain that 4/5 is larger because it has more fifths ## Lesson: Which fraction is bigger? You already know how to split a shape into equal parts, and how fractions sit on a number line. Comparing fractions means figuring out which one is bigger. If two fractions have the same bottom number, called the denominator, the pieces are the same size. Then you just compare the top numbers. More on top means a bigger fraction. *(drawing: This cake is cut into 8 same-size slices, and 5 are shaded. That is 5/8 of the cake.)* **Example.** Ben ate 3/8 of a cake. His sister ate 5/8 of the same cake. Both cakes were cut into 8 same-size slices, so just compare the top numbers. 5 is more than 3, so his sister ate more. *(drawing: This circle is cut into 5 equal pieces, and 1 is shaded. The bottom number tells you how many pieces make the whole. More pieces means each piece is smaller.)* **Tip.** Quick rule: if the denominators match, compare the top numbers, more is bigger. If the top number is 1 for both, like with 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, the fraction with the smaller denominator is the bigger piece. **Recap.** Same denominator: compare the top numbers. Unit fractions: the bigger the denominator, the smaller the piece. ## Practice 12 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Decomposing a shape into more equal shares](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/decomposing-a-shape-into-more-equal-shares-mt_hyvHv2BCwb) - [Fractions on a number line](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-on-a-number-line-mt_Kr3IyA6m-O) ## Opens up - [Comparing fractions (age 8+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-fractions-age-8-mt_HnKbuCliNS) - [Solving problems with fractions (age 7+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/solving-problems-with-fractions-age-7-mt_SsLWS_APM7) - [The 0-to-1 Probability Scale](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/the-0-to-1-probability-scale-mt_t0g2SlP404)