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Compare non-unit fractions with the same denominator

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can compare non-unit fractions with the same denominator.

Key learning points

  1. To compare non-unit fractions, the whole must be the same for each fraction.
  2. When you compare fractions with the same denominator, the greater the numerator the greater the fraction .
  3. If the whole is not the same, you can not compare the fractions.

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 try to compare fractions where the wholes are not the same.

It's important that pupils understand that for comparison of fractions the wholes must be the same. This lesson uses one example of comparing distances in miles versus distance in kilometres as well as comparing pizzas of different shape and size.

Teacher tip

Pupils compare fractions with the same denominator. Number lines will be useful for this and pupils may find it helpful to spend more time shading fraction strips of the same length to understand that when the denominator is the same, the fraction with the larger numerator is greater.

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

6 Questions

Q1.
What fraction of the pizza has been eaten?

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

Q2.
What fraction of the pizza has not been eaten?

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

Q3.
What fraction is represented on the number line?

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

Q4.
What fraction is represented on the number line?

An image in a quiz
$$ \frac{5}{6} $$
$$ \frac{1}{6} $$
Correct answer: $$ \frac{4}{5} $$
$$ \frac{1}{5} $$

Q5.
What is the missing numerator?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 7, seven

Q6.
Jacob uses an even number to make this correct. What number could he have used?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 2, two

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is correct?

An image in a quiz
$$ \frac{5}{9} $$ is greater than $$ \frac{6}{9} $$
Correct answer: $$ \frac{6}{9} $$ is greater than $$ \frac{5}{9} $$
$$ \frac{6}{9} $$ is equal to $$ \frac{5}{9} $$

Q2.
Which symbol would make this correct?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: >
<
=

Q3.
Put these fractions in order, starting with the smallest.

1 - $$ \frac{2}{10} $$
2 - $$ \frac{5}{10} $$
3 - $$ \frac{10}{10} $$

Q4.
Put these fractions in order, starting with the smallest.

1 - $$ \frac{1}{8} $$
2 - $$ \frac{5}{8} $$
3 - $$ \frac{7}{8} $$
4 - $$ \frac{8}{8} $$

Q5.
What is the missing numerator?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 9, nine

Q6.
What is the missing numerator?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 5, five

To help you plan your 3 maths lesson on: Compare non-unit fractions with the same denominator, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...