Grade 3 Fractions: Comparing Fractions (Same Denominator)

Compare fractions with the same denominator

What You'll Learn

Compare fractions with same denominator
Use >, <, and = with fractions
Understand that larger numerator means larger fraction

📖Same Denominator Comparison

When denominators are the same, just compare numerators! 5/8 > 3/8 because 5 > 3. The pieces are the same size, so more pieces means a bigger fraction.

💡

Same size pieces? More pieces = bigger fraction!

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

Example 1
2/8 ___ 8/8
1. Both fractions have denominator 8, so the pieces are the same size.
2. Compare the numerators: 2 is less than 8.
3. So 2/8 < 8/8.
Answer: <
Example 2
3/3 ___ 2/3
1. Both fractions have denominator 3, so the pieces are the same size.
2. Compare the numerators: 3 is greater than 2.
3. So 3/3 > 2/3.
Answer: >
Example 3
7/8 ___ 5/8
1. Both fractions have denominator 8, so the pieces are the same size.
2. Compare the numerators: 7 is greater than 5.
3. So 7/8 > 5/8.
Answer: >