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Lesson 4 of 5
  • Year 6

Explain which strategy for comparing non-related fractions is most efficient

I can explain which strategy for comparing non-related fractions is most efficient.

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View unit
Lesson 4 of 5
New
New
  • Year 6

Explain which strategy for comparing non-related fractions is most efficient

I can explain which strategy for comparing non-related fractions is most efficient.

Download all

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. If the numerator is the same, the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction.
  2. If the numerator is the same, the greater the numerator, the larger the fraction.
  3. In fractions equivalent to a whole, the numerator is the same as the denominator.
  4. In fractions equivalent to a half, the numerator is half the value of the denominator.

Keywords

  • Common denominator - When two or more fractions share the same denominator, you can say they have a common denominator.

  • Magnitude - The magnitude of something refers to the size of something.

  • Efficient - To be efficient means finding a way to solve a problem quickly whilst also maintaining accuracy.

Common misconception

Pupils look to convert all fractions so that they have a common denominator in order to compare them.

The vast majority of fractions can be compared without common denominators. To support this, pupils need to have a strong sense of the magnitude of the fractions they are comparing. Do not feel you need to move away from bar models too quickly.


To help you plan your year 6 maths lesson on: Explain which strategy for comparing non-related fractions is most efficient, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Provide children with their own Venn diagrams to allow them to decide how they would compare each set of fractions. Whilst this may be personal to many pupils, challenge pupils who regularly resort to the use of common denominators and highlight the efficiency other strategies can offer.
Teacher tip

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

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
If the numerator is half the size of the denominator, we can say that the fraction is __________.

equal to one-quarter
Correct answer: equal to one-half
equal to one-whole
Correct answer: a proper fraction
an improper fraction

Q2.
Tick the fractions greater than one half.

Correct answer: $$ {5} \over {6}$$
Correct answer: $$ {2} \over {3}$$
$$ {1} \over {4}$$
$$ {4} \over {12}$$
$$ {5} \over {11}$$

Q3.
Tick the fractions less than one half.

Correct answer: $$ {1} \over {7}$$
Correct answer: $$ {2} \over {6}$$
$$ {4} \over {5}$$
$$ {3} \over {6}$$
Correct answer: $$ {3} \over {7}$$

Q4.
Compare these two fractions: $$ {4} \over {7}$$ ___ $$ {5} \over {8}$$

Correct answer: <
>
=

Q5.
Order the fractions from largest to smallest.

1 - $$ {8} \over {10}$$
2 - $$ {4} \over {8}$$
3 - $$ {3} \over {7}$$
4 - $$ {3} \over {8}$$

Q6.
Compare these two fractions: $$ {5} \over {6}$$ ___ $$ {6} \over {7}$$

Correct answer: <
>
=

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
To complete a calculation efficiently means to calculate it __________.

quickly
only using a written method
accurately
Correct answer: quickly and accurately

Q2.
Use reasoning to compare these two fractions: $$ {3} \over {12}$$ ___ $$ {7} \over {8}$$

Correct answer: <
>
=

Q3.
Use reasoning to compare these two fractions: $$ {6} \over {10}$$ ___ $$ {7} \over {10}$$

Correct answer: <
>
=

Q4.
Use reasoning to compare these two fractions: $$ {8} \over {6}$$ ___ $$ {8} \over {10}$$

<
Correct answer: >
=

Q5.
Use reasoning to compare these two fractions: $$ {2} \over {3}$$ ___ $$ {4} \over {5}$$

Correct answer: <
>
=

Q6.
Use reasoning to compare these two fractions: $$ {3} \over {8}$$ ___ $$ {5} \over {12}$$

Correct answer: <
>
=