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Visually comparing fractions review

Review comparing fractions with fraction models and number lines, and try some practice problems.

Comparing fractions

We can compare fractions by seeing which one takes up a greater portion of the same whole.

Comparing fractions with fraction models

Let's look at an example.
Compare 46 and 69 with >,<, or =.
First, let's divide two same-sized wholes into sixths and ninths.
Two equal-sized circles, one divided into 6 equal parts and the other divided into 9 equal parts.
Next. we need to fill in 4 of the sixths to show 46 and 6 of the ninths to show 69.
Two equal-sized circles, one divided into 6 equal parts with 4 parts shaded and the other divided into 9 equal parts with 6 parts shaded. The area of the 4 shaded parts of the first circle is equal to the area of the 6 shaded parts of the second circle.
The fractions represent the same portion of the whole. So, they are equal.
46=69
Want to learn more about comparing fractions with fraction models? Check out this video.

Comparing fractions with number lines

Let's look at an example.
Compare 53 and 96 with >,<, or =.
A number line labeled 0 to 2 with tick marks at 0, 1, and 2 emphasized. Tick marks at every one-sixth unit are marked, with a blue dot labeled five-thirds at the ten-sixths tick mark.
Let's think about where each fraction is located on the number line.
A number line labeled 0 to 2 with tick marks at 0, six-sixths, and 2 emphasized. Tick marks at every one-sixth unit are marked, with a green dot at the nine-sixths tick mark and a blue dot at the ten-sixths tick mark, which is also labeled five-thirds.
53 is located to the right of 96 on the number line, so 53 is greater than 96.
53>96
Want to learn more about comparing fractions with number lines? Check out this video.

Practice

Problem 1
Compare the fractions with >,<, or =.
Hint: Think about how you would fill in each rectangle below to help you compare the fractions.
34
45
Two rows of equal length made up of rectangles. The top row is made up of 4 equal-sized rectangles and the bottom row is made up of 5 equal-sized rectrangles.

Want to try more problems like this? Check out this exercise.

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