Comparing fractions (age 8+) · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Which fraction is bigger?

Mathematics · Fractions · ages 8-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which statement is true when you compare 3/8 and 3/4?

    • 3/8 > 3/4
    • 3/8 = 3/4
    • 3/8 < 3/4
    • You cannot compare them

  2. Compare 3/6 and 5/6. Which fraction is bigger?

    • 3/6
    • 5/6
    • They are equal

  3. 3/8 and 3/4 have the same numerator, so the fraction with the smaller denominator, 3/4, is the bigger fraction.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Compare 2/5 and 2/9. Which fraction is bigger?

    • 2/5
    • 2/9
    • They are equal

  5. True or false: 4/6 and 4/9 are equal because both fractions show 4 parts.

    Circle one:   True   False

  6. Mia says her 3/4 of a small cookie is bigger than Jax's 3/8 of a giant cookie. Is she right?

    • Yes, always
    • No, only if both cookies are the same size
    • No, 3/8 is always bigger

  7. Which symbol correctly compares 5/6 and 2/6?

    • 5/6 < 2/6
    • 5/6 = 2/6
    • 5/6 > 2/6

  8. Which statement is true when you compare 2/3 and 2/5?

    • 2/3 > 2/5
    • 2/3 < 2/5
    • 2/3 = 2/5
    • You cannot compare them

  9. Leo says 4/5 is smaller than 4/9 because 9 is a bigger number than 5. What is his mistake?

    • He compared the denominators as if a bigger number meant bigger pieces
    • He should have compared the numerators instead
    • He is actually correct

  10. True or false: before you compare two fractions, both fractions must refer to the same size whole.

    Circle one:   True   False

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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Which fraction is bigger? W1-mt_HnKbuCliNS-s1

  1. 3/8 < 3/4 · Both fractions show 3 pieces, but fourths are bigger pieces than eighths, so 3/4 is the bigger fraction.
  2. 5/6 · Same denominator, so just compare the numerators. 5 is more than 3, so 5/6 is bigger.
  3. True · That's correct. Fewer, bigger pieces (fourths) beat more, smaller pieces (eighths) when the numerator matches.
  4. 2/5 · Same numerator, so the smaller denominator makes bigger pieces. Fifths are bigger than ninths, so 2/5 is bigger.
  5. False · Both show 4 pieces, but sixths are bigger pieces than ninths, so 4/6 is more than 4/9.
  6. No, only if both cookies are the same size · Fraction comparisons like 3/4 > 3/8 only work when both fractions come from the same-size whole.
  7. 5/6 > 2/6 · Same denominator, so compare the numerators: 5 is more than 2, so 5/6 > 2/6.
  8. 2/3 > 2/5 · Both show 2 pieces, but thirds are bigger pieces than fifths. Bigger pieces make the bigger fraction.
  9. He compared the denominators as if a bigger number meant bigger pieces · A bigger denominator means smaller pieces, not a bigger fraction. Since the numerators match, 4/5 is bigger because fifths are larger pieces than ninths.
  10. True · Half of a small cookie is a different amount than half of a big cake. The comparison only makes sense when the wholes match.
Worksheet · LightMySky