Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Compare and order mixed numbers using fraction sense

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can compare and order mixed numbers using fraction sense.

      Key learning points

      1. Mixed numbers can be positioned on a number line to help compare and order them.
      2. When comparing or ordering mixed numbers, identify the integers that the mixed numbers sit between.
      3. Mixed numbers where the whole number part is different can be compared or ordered based on their whole number part.

      Keywords

      • Mixed number - A mixed number is a whole number and a fraction combined.

      Common misconception

      Children may count the marks rather than the equal parts between integers and may compare the fractional part of the mixed number first rather than the more significant whole number part.

      Count the equal parts in between the given integers, not the marks to determine the unit that we are working with. When comparing and ordering, consider the whole number part first - this determines which integers the mixed number sits between.

      Teacher tip

      Children need to understand, that with mixed numbers, the whole number part is the most significant part and tells us which two integers it sits between on a number line. Provide practice at partitioning mixed numbers to support children to see this.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Look at the part-part-whole model. What is the value of the whole number part of this mixed number?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 9, nine

      Q2.
      Look at the number line and complete this sentence: Each interval between the integers on the line is divided into three equal parts. This allows us to count in __________.

      An image in a quiz
      halves
      Correct answer: thirds
      quarters
      fifths

      Q3.
      On a number line, which integer would be before the mixed number $$1 {{3} \over {8}}$$ ?

      Correct Answer: 1, one

      Q4.
      Complete the sentence: 999 is __________ than 1,001

      wider
      Correct answer: smaller
      longer
      thinner
      greater

      Q5.
      Which of the following numbers is represented by the letter ‘A’?

      An image in a quiz
      $$ {6} \over {7}$$
      $$5{{1} \over {7}}$$
      Correct answer: $$6{{1} \over {7}}$$
      $$6{{6} \over {7}}$$
      $$7{{1} \over {6}}$$

      Q6.
      Look at this number line. Match the letter to the number that it is representing.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:A,$$ {6} \over {8}$$

      $$ {6} \over {8}$$

      Correct Answer:B,$$1{{1} \over {8}}$$

      $$1{{1} \over {8}}$$

      Correct Answer:C,$$1{{5} \over {8}}$$

      $$1{{5} \over {8}}$$

      Correct Answer:D,$$2{{1} \over {8}}$$

      $$2{{1} \over {8}}$$

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Identify the number represented by ‘A’

      An image in a quiz
      $$ {2} \over {7}$$
      $$1{{2} \over {8}}$$
      Correct answer: $$1{{2} \over {7}}$$
      $$1{{3} \over {7}}$$

      Q2.
      Using the number line to compare the size of the numbers, complete the sentence using ‘greater’ or ‘less’: $$ {3} \over {7}$$ is __________ than $$1{{2} \over {7}}$$

      An image in a quiz
      greater
      Correct answer: less

      Q3.
      Which of these statements are true?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: $$ {3} \over {7}$$ < $$1{{6} \over {7}}$$
      $$ {3} \over {7}$$ > $$2{{3} \over {7}}$$
      Correct answer: $$2{{3} \over {7}}$$ > $$1{{6} \over {7}}$$
      $$1{{6} \over {7}}$$ < $$1{{2} \over {7}}$$

      Q4.
      Which symbol makes this statement true? 9 ___ $$9{{3} \over {7}}$$

      Correct answer: <
      >
      =

      Q5.
      Which symbol makes this statement true? $$10{{3} \over {7}}$$ ___ $$9{{3} \over {7}}$$

      <
      Correct answer: >
      =

      Q6.
      Look at these numbers. Which is the smallest?

      $$6{{1} \over {7}}$$
      2
      Correct answer: $$1{{3} \over {7}}$$
      5
      $$2{{1} \over {7}}$$

      To help you plan your 4 maths lesson on: Compare and order mixed numbers using fraction sense, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...