Numbers and Operations – Fractions: Comparing Fractions 4.NF.2 Facts & Worksheets

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators or by comparing to a benchmark fraction

See the fact file below for more information on comparing fractions or alternatively, you can download our 28-page Numbers and Operations – Fractions: Comparing Fractions worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as 1/2. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

A Note for the Teacher

When teaching comparison of fractions, try the following in your lesson:

• Ensure that the learner is familiar with the signs <,> and =
• Knows the difference between the numerator and denominator.
• Applies the rule that whatever we do to the numerator (multiply or divide), the same must be done to the denominator.
• Any fraction where the numerator and denominator are the same is equal to 1.

Theory

Using representations to compare fractions help students develop their number sense about fraction size. This awareness helps them understand the strategies they use to compare whole numbers do not necessarily compare to fractions (1/2 is greater than 1/8 even though the whole number 8 is greater than 2). Comparing fractions means that you want to be able to tell if one fraction is less than, greater than, or equal to another. 

As seen in the warm-up activity, when we compare fractions with the SAME denominators, we look at the numerator and can easily compare, which is the greater fraction.
However, when our denominators are DIFFERENT, we cannot just look at the numerator to compare. The golden rule is that when comparing fractions where the denominators are different, we have to create an equivalent fraction with the same denominator as the other fraction.

Here is an example:

We notice that the denominators of both fractions are different. But we also know from our previous lesson that by multiplication or division, we can create an equivalent fraction.

We notice that the denominators are the same, and we can compare by looking at the numerators. Therefore:

Numbers and Operations – Fractions: Comparing Fractions CCSS 4.NF.2 Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Comparing Fractions across 28 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that align with the Common Core code 4.NF.2 for Numbers and Operations – Fractions: Comparing Fractions.

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Complete List of Included Worksheets

• A lesson plan
• Warm-up activity
• Math theory explained
• Assisted learning activities
• Independent learning activities
• Extension activities and games
• Answer keys

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