Let's learn how to compare fractions when the numerators are the same.
Let's compare these two fractions. The first shape is split into six equal parts and two are shaded. That represents 2 sixths. The second shape is split into three equal parts and two are shaded which represents 2/3.
Both fractions have the same numerator two. However, since the second shape has fewer parts, each part is bigger. Taking two bigger parts gives us more than taking two smaller parts. So 2/3 is greater than 2 sixths. Let's look at another one. In each shape, three parts are shaded. The parts in the first shape are larger than the parts in the second.
So the first shape has a larger fraction shaded.
In each square, three parts were shaded.
The first represents 3/4s and the second represents 3/8. Fourths are bigger than eighths, so 3/4s is greater.
Next, let's compare 3/4s and 3 fths.
Again, both numerators are three. The first shape shows fourths. The second shows fths. When you divide a whole into fewer parts, each part is larger. So, fourths are larger than fifths. 3/4s is greater than 3/5ths.
Here we're comparing 4 9ths and 48s.
Both fractions have a numerator of four.
The first square has nine parts and the second has eight parts. Dividing into more parts makes each part smaller. So 9ths are smaller than eighs. 4/8 is greater than 4 9ths.
We can compare fractions without visualizations as well. Since dividing into more parts makes each part smaller, 7ths are larger than eighs. So 57th is greater than 5/8.
When comparing fractions with the same numerator, look at the denominator. The denominator tells us how many equal parts the whole is divided into. More parts means smaller pieces. When numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is greater because its parts are bigger.
