Being able to identify a fraction using a model will help us in this lesson. Let's try a practice problem now.
Below is a fraction bar.
What is the fraction of the coloured piece?
To represent a fraction with a fraction model:
The numerator tells us how many parts should be shaded in. The denominator tells us how many parts to divide the shape into.
This video looks at how to compare unit fractions.
Using the fraction wall, which of the following fractions is smaller?
The bigger the denominator the smaller the fraction.
This video looks at how to compare fractions with the same denominators.
Order these fractions from smallest to largest.
In comparing fractions with the same bottom numbers (denominator), the higher the top number (numerator) is, the larger the value.
Remember to count up all the pieces to find the denominator, not just the unshaded ones. Count the shaded pieces to find the numerator.
What about if we have mixed numbers or improper fractions. How do we order fractions then?
Choose the largest number from the options below.
A mixed fraction is another way to express an improper fraction, and vice-versa, so you can rename them if you need to.
To compare fractions, we can plot them on the number line. The fraction furthest to the right is the largest.