Compare Like Numerators

Grade 3 · fractions · 74 practice problems · read aloud

🔊 Listen to this explanation

Comparing Fractions with the Same Numerators

What is Comparing Like Numerators? 🤔

When fractions have the same top number (numerator), we can compare them by looking at their bottom numbers (denominators). This helps us figure out which piece is bigger when we're splitting things into parts!

How to Solve: Step-by-Step 🧩

  1. Look at the numerators: Check if the top numbers are the same.
  2. Compare denominators: Look at the bottom numbers.
  3. Remember the rule: When numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is the larger fraction!

Let's Look at Examples ✨

Example 1: Compare 2/3 and 2/5

✅ Numerators are both 2

✅ Denominators: 3 and 5

✅ Since 3 is smaller than 5, 2/3 is larger than 2/5

Answer: 2/3 > 2/5

Example 2: Compare 3/8 and 3/4

✅ Numerators are both 3

✅ Denominators: 8 and 4

✅ Since 4 is smaller than 8, 3/4 is larger than 3/8

Answer: 3/4 > 3/8

Watch Out for These Mistakes! ⚠️

Mixing up the rule: Remember - smaller denominator means BIGGER fraction!

Thinking bigger numbers always win: With fractions, sometimes smaller bottom numbers mean bigger pieces.

Forgetting to check numerators first: This rule only works when the top numbers are the same!

Tips & Tricks to Remember 🎯

Pizza Party Thinking: If you have 2 slices from a pizza cut into 3 pieces, you get more than 2 slices from a pizza cut into 5 pieces!

Memory Rhyme: "Same on top, look below - smaller bottom, more to show!"

Draw it out: Always draw circles and shade the fractions to check your work.

Time to Practice! 📝

  • Try these: Compare 1/2 and 1/3, 3/5 and 3/10, 4/6 and 4/8
  • Use fraction circles or draw pictures to check your answers
  • Make your own problems with the same numerator and practice
  • Ask a friend to create problems for you to solve

Practice problems

6 of the 74, worked through step by step — try them before opening the answer.

1 3/4 > 3/8 ?

  1. A) no
  2. B) yes

Hint: When fractions have the same numerator, compare the denominators to determine which is larger.

Show the answer

Answer: B) yes

  1. Understand the problem. We are comparing two fractions: 3/4 and 3/8. We need to determine if 3/4 is greater than 3/8.
  2. Compare fractions with the same numerator. Both fractions have the same numerator, which is 3. When numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is the larger fraction. Here, 4 is smaller than 8, so 3/4 should be larger than 3/8.
  3. Verify by finding a common denominator. Let's confirm by converting both fractions to have the same denominator. The least common denominator of 4 and 8 is 8. Convert 3/4 to eighths: Multiply numerator and denominator by 2 → (3×2)/(4×2) = 6/8. Now compare 6/8 and 3/8.
  4. Compare the numerators. 6/8 vs 3/8: Since 6 > 3, we have 6/8 > 3/8. Therefore, 3/4 > 3/8.
  5. Conclusion. The statement "3/4 > 3/8" is true.

The correct answer is yes.

2 2/3 > 2/5 ?

  1. A) yes
  2. B) no

Hint: When fractions have the same numerator, compare the denominators to determine which is larger.

Show the answer

Answer: A) yes

  1. Understand the problem. We need to determine if the statement "2/3 > 2/5" is true.
  2. Compare the two fractions. Both fractions have the same numerator (2). When the numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is the larger fraction.
  3. Compare denominators. The denominators are 3 and 5. Since 3 < 5, the fraction 2/3 is larger than 2/5.
  4. Verify by finding a common denominator. The least common denominator of 3 and 5 is 15. Convert 2/3: (2 × 5)/(3 × 5) = 10/15 Convert 2/5: (2 × 3)/(5 × 3) = 6/15
  5. Compare the converted fractions. 10/15 > 6/15, so 2/3 > 2/5. Conclusion: The statement "2/3 > 2/5" is correct. Answer: yes

3 2/3 > 2/6 ?

  1. A) no
  2. B) yes

Hint: When comparing fractions with the same numerator, look at the denominators to determine which fraction has larger parts.

Show the answer

Answer: B) yes

  1. Both fractions have the same numerator (2).
  2. Compare the denominators: 3 and 6.
  3. A smaller denominator means larger pieces when the numerators are equal.
  4. Since 3 is smaller than 6, 2/3 represents larger pieces than 2/6.
  5. Therefore, 2/3 is greater than 2/6.

The answer is yes.

4 5/8 > 5/12 ?

  1. A) yes
  2. B) no

Hint: When fractions have the same numerator, compare the denominators to see which fraction has larger pieces.

Show the answer

Answer: A) yes

  1. Both fractions have the same numerator (5).
  2. Compare the denominators: 8 and 12.
  3. When numerators are equal, the fraction with the smaller denominator has larger pieces.
  4. Since 8 is smaller than 12, 5/8 represents larger pieces than 5/12.
  5. Therefore, 5/8 is greater than 5/12.

The answer is yes.

5 3/4 > 3/8 = ?

  1. A) false
  2. B) true

Hint: When fractions have the same numerator, compare the denominators to determine which is larger.

Show the answer

Answer: B) true

  1. Write the two fractions clearly. We are comparing 3/4 and 3/8.
  2. Compare the denominators. Both fractions have the same numerator (3), so the fraction with the smaller denominator is larger. Denominator of first fraction: 4 Denominator of second fraction: 8 Since 4 is less than 8, 3/4 is larger than 3/8.
  3. Verify by finding a common denominator. Common denominator of 4 and 8 is 8. Convert 3/4 to eighths: Multiply numerator and denominator by 2 → (3×2)/(4×2) = 6/8. Now compare 6/8 and 3/8. Since 6 > 3, we have 6/8 > 3/8. Therefore, 3/4 > 3/8.
  4. Conclusion. The statement "3/4 > 3/8" is true. Answer: true

Let's compare the two fractions step by step.

6 2/3 > 2/6 = ?

  1. A) no
  2. B) yes

Hint: When fractions have the same numerator, compare the denominators to see which fraction is larger.

Show the answer

Answer: B) yes

  1. Both fractions have the same numerator (2).
  2. Compare the denominators: 3 and 6.
  3. When numerators are equal, the fraction with the smaller denominator is larger.
  4. Since 3 is smaller than 6, 2/3 is larger than 2/6.
  5. Therefore, 2/3 > 2/6 is true.

The answer is Yes.

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