Compare Fractions with different numerators AND denominators

Compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators using visual fraction models leading to using a numerical method by finding a common denominator.

Reviewing earlier work
Whilst the content of these worksheets centres around fractions with different numerators AND denominators they begin with a review of comparing fractions with the same denominator or same numerator with the number line or rectangle bar. There is also a worksheets with purely numerical questions, but you may want to leave this until after beginning the ‘Investigation’.

Comparing fractions with 1/2
Again you have the same visual models as above, but you can choose whether the range of values of the denominators are from 3 or 10 or from 8 to 20.

Investigating patterns when comparing patterns
Here you could decide to investigate an alternative way to compare the fractions above by looking for any simple patterns in the results obtained so far that will allow your students to answer questions on comparing fractions without the need for visual models or a numerical method.

Comparing fractions with different numerators and different denominators
We now get to the core of the topic.
There are 3 levels, all with the choice of using the number line or rectangle bars.

Level 1:
Denominators are between 3 and 10
Level 2:
Denominators are between 3 and 20, but one is a multiple of the other. Here, it may be useful to refer back to the work done on Equivalent fractions as a double check on the answers could be done numerically.
Level 3:
Denominators are between 3 and 20

Transition from visual models to a numerical method
At this point in the process there needs to be a transition from using visual aids to a numerical approach which students will be using in the future.

Students get to see that the easiest way to compare two fractions is if they have the same denominators, then there is only the numerators to think about.

This is explained firstly through using a visual fraction model which is then linked to the idea of creating a common denominator between the two fractions by multiplying the 2 denominators together (all explained in the Guide).

Numerical Worksheets
There are 6 basic worksheet templates here:

• Numerators or Denominators the same
• Comparing fractions to 1/2
• Compare Fractions (1) - Denominators from 3 to 12
• Compare Fractions (2) - One Denominator is a multiple of the other
• Compare Fractions (3) - Denominators from 3 to 20
• Compare Fractions (4) - Denominators from 8 to 20

How many worksheets are there in total ?
Lots and lots …
Answers are automatically generated every time.
Note
These resources work with the official Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows or Mac computers.