Idea 14of 24Builds onTop number, bottom numberSame bottom number: compare the tops
Same top number: more parts means smaller parts
Which is greater, 3/5 or 3/8?
Today you'll discover
- why fifths are bigger than eighths
- how to compare fractions with one top number
- which of three is smallest
Think firstOne strip in fifths, one in eighths
Which is greater: 3/5 or 3/8?
Decide first, then press Next. Look at the size of one part.
Two strips the same length, one cut into fifths and one into eighths, named 3/5 and 3/8, nothing shaded yet. Then three parts of each are shaded and counted, and dashed lines show the fifths reach further. Then 1/2 and 1/3. The last step shows strips for 4/5, 4/9 and 4/6.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
With the same numerator, the fraction with the smaller denominator is greater: its parts are bigger.
Easy to get wrongA bigger bottom number does not make a bigger fraction. 1/8 is less than 1/5.
Compare themSame bottom: the bigger top is greater (3/8 < 5/8). Same top: the bigger bottom is smaller (3/8 < 3/5).
Key word
- size of the parts
- how big each equal part is; the more parts a whole is cut into, the smaller each one
Ready to use it?
- Compare fractions with the same numerator.
- Find the smallest of three fractions.