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 non-unit fractions including those equal to 1

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can compare non-unit fractions including those equal to 1

Key learning points

  1. To compare non-unit fractions, the whole must be the same for each fraction.
  2. When the numerators are the same, the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction.
  3. When the denominators are the same, the greater the numerator, the greater the fraction.

Keywords

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

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

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to compare fractions with the same numerator or denominator.

Encourage pupils to use fraction representations to help them visualise. Reference the size of the parts (same numerator, greater denominator means smaller parts) or how many there are (same denominator, greater numerator means more parts).

Teacher tip

Pupils compare and order fractions, using both the denominator and the numerator. In the second learning cycle, children are presented with a problem that can be solved through multiple approaches. Decide which scaffolds provided are most appropriate to help your pupils access this problem.

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.
Which symbol would make this correct?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: <
=
>

Q2.
Sofia is comparing $$\frac{6}{7}$$ and $$\frac{7}{7}$$ Which of these is true?

Correct answer: $$\frac{6}{7}$$ is less than $$\frac{7}{7}$$
$$\frac{6}{7}$$ is greater than $$\frac{7}{7}$$
$$\frac{6}{7}$$ is equal to $$\frac{7}{7}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{7}{7}$$ is equal to one whole

Q3.
Which symbol would make this correct?

An image in a quiz
<
=
Correct answer: >

Q4.
Order these fractions from smallest to largest.

1 - $$\frac{2}{11}$$
2 - $$\frac{4}{11}$$
3 - $$\frac{7}{11}$$
4 - $$\frac{9}{11}$$

Q5.
What fractions would be positioned between $$\frac{4}{9}$$ and $$\frac{7}{9}$$ on the number line?

An image in a quiz
$$\frac{3}{9}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{5}{9}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{6}{9}$$
$$\frac{8}{9}$$

Q6.
Order these fractions from smallest to largest.

1 - $$\frac{5}{11}$$
2 - $$\frac{5}{9}$$
3 - $$\frac{5}{7}$$
4 - $$\frac{5}{5}$$

6 Questions

Q1.
Sofia loves milkshake. Would she rather have $$\frac{4}{7}$$, $$\frac{5}{7}$$ or $$\frac{6}{7}$$ of a milkshake?

$$\frac{4}{7}$$
$$\frac{5}{7}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{6}{7}$$

Q2.
Sofia loves milkshake. Would she rather have $$\frac{2}{3}$$, $$\frac{2}{4}$$ or $$\frac{2}{5}$$ of a milkshake?

Correct answer: $$\frac{2}{3}$$
$$\frac{2}{4}$$
$$\frac{2}{5}$$

Q3.
Which symbol would make this correct?

An image in a quiz
<
=
Correct answer: >

Q4.
Order these fractions from smallest to largest.

1 - $$\frac{4}{11}$$
2 - $$\frac{4}{9}$$
3 - $$\frac{4}{7}$$
4 - $$\frac{4}{5}$$

Q5.
Order the fractions from smallest to largest.

1 - $$\frac{3}{10}$$
2 - $$\frac{3}{8}$$
3 - $$\frac{5}{8}$$
4 - $$\frac{5}{6}$$

Q6.
What fraction would be positioned between $$\frac{4}{9}$$ and $$\frac{7}{9}$$ on the number line?

An image in a quiz
$$\frac{4}{10}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{4}{8}$$
$$\frac{7}{8}$$

To help you plan your 3 maths lesson on: Compare non-unit fractions including those equal to 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...