• TOC
  • Courses
  • Blog
  • Twitch
  • Shop
  • Search
    • Courses
    • Blog
    • Subreddit
    • Discord
    • Log in
    • Sign up
    • ▾4th grade
      • ▸Place value of whole numbers
        • •Place value of multi-digit whole numbers
        • •Adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers
        • •Multiply and divide by 10
        • •Represent a number using base ten blocks, units, tens, and hundreds
        • •Convert between written forms of numbers
        • •Round whole numbers
        • •Estimating sums and differences by rounding
        • •Estimating products by rounding
      • ▸Multiplication and division
        • •Multiplying one-digit numbers by 10, 100, and 1000
        • •Multiplying one-digit numbers by multiples of 10, 100, and 1000
        • •Multiplying 10s
        • •Multiplication
        • •Quotients and remainders
        • •Pattern in the units digit of multiples
        • •Solve multiplication and division word problems
        • •Multi-step word problems
      • ▸Factors, multiples, and patterns
        • •Factors and multiples
        • •Divisibility tests
        • •Prime and composite numbers
        • •Number patterns
      • ▾Equivalent fractions and comparing fractions
        • •Equivalent fractions
        • •37 trick
        • •Compare fractions with unlike numerators, denominators, or both
      • ▸Fraction arithmetic
        • •Round fractions
        • •Add and subtract fractions with like denominators
        • •Add fractions with denominators of 10 or 100
        • •Multiply fractions by whole numbers
      • ▸Understand decimals
        • •Represent decimal numbers using base ten blocks
        • •Compare decimals to hundredths
      • ▸Geometry
        • •Intro to parallel and perpendicular lines
        • •Lines of symmetry
        • •Rotational symmetry
        • •Intro to angles
        • •Measuring and drawing angles
        • •Coterminal angles
        • •Naming angles
        • •Adjacent angles and the additive property of angles
      • ▸Units of measurement
        • •Converting larger units of volume to smaller ones
        • •Converting larger units of length to smaller ones
        • •Converting larger units of time to smaller ones
        • •Word problems involving measures
     › 4th grade › Equivalent fractions and comparing fractions

    Compare fractions with unlike numerators, denominators, or both

    First, students will learn how to compare fractions with unlike denominators, using concrete and visual methods.

    Watch these Khan Academy videos:

    • Comparing fractions: tape diagram
    • Comparing fractions: number line
    • Comparing fractions: fraction models

    Visually compare fractions with unlike denominators by Khan Academy

    Next, students will learn several strategies for comparing fractions, without using manipulatives or pictures. In the case of \(6/8\) and \(7/8,\) we know \(6/8\) is smaller because \(6 \lt 7.\) In the case of \(5/4\) and \(7/9\), we know that \(5/4\) is larger because \(5/4\) is greater than 1, while \(7/9\) is less than 1. In the case of \(1/9\) and \(14/15\) we know \(1/9\) is smaller because \(1/9\) is close to 0 and \(14/15\) is close to 1. For problems not so easy, such as comparing \(2/3\) and \(9/12\), we know \(9/12\) is larger because \(2/3\) is equal to \(8/12,\) which is smaller than \(9/12\).

    • Comparing fractions 1 (unlike denominators) by Khan Academy
    • Comparing fractions 2 (unlike denominators)

    Compare fractions with different numerators and denominators by Khan Academy

    Next, give your students this challenge:

    What Was in the Box? by NRICH

    Conclude by leading this investigation:

    Pollinator Puzzles (multiplication, division)
    by MathPickle

    4.NF.A.2: 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.

    Additional lessons and practice problems