Comparing fractions with different denominators by finding common denominators or using benchmarks like ½.
Where your child meets this in real life: Deciding which fraction of a pizza is larger, or comparing discounts
SEAGReady breaks compare and order fractions into 2 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Compare and order fractions that have the same denominator by comparing their numerators
Compare and order fractions with different denominators by converting to a common denominator
Three free sample questions from our compare and order fractions course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Sean and Oisin are sharing a cake cut into 6 equal slices. Sean eats 2 slices and Oisin eats 4 slices. Who ate more cake?
Answer: A. Oisin ate more because 4/6 > 2/6
Both fractions have denominator 6, so the slices are the same size. Compare numerators: 4 > 2 Therefore 4/6 > 2/6 Oisin ate more cake.
Stuck? Start here: Both fractions have the same denominator (6). What does that mean?
Niamh ate 1/2 of her sandwich. Conor ate 2/4 of his sandwich. Both sandwiches were the same size. Who ate more?
Answer: A. They ate the same amount
Convert to the same denominator: 1/2 = 2/4 (multiply top and bottom by 2) Now compare: 2/4 = 2/4 They ate the same amount.
Stuck? Start here: Can you convert one fraction so they have the same denominator?
Which fraction is larger: 5/8 or 3/8?
Answer: A. 5/8
Both fractions have denominator 8 (eighths). Compare numerators: 5 > 3 Therefore 5/8 > 3/8
Stuck? Start here: Both fractions have the same denominator. What should you compare?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Niamh and Cormac are eating slices of the same pizza. The pizza is cut into 8 equal slices. Niamh eats 3 slices and Cormac eats 5 slices.
Who ate more pizza?
³⁄₈ vs ⁵⁄₈
Step 1 of 5
Niamh and Cormac are eating slices of the same pizza. The pizza is cut into 8 equal slices. Niamh eats 3 slices and Cormac eats 5 slices.
Who ate more pizza?
Cormac ate more pizza because ⁵⁄₈ is greater than ³⁄₈.
The key insight: When denominators match, just compare the numerators - bigger numerator means bigger fraction!
Watch out: Comparing denominators instead of numerators. When denominators are the same, only the numerators tell you which is bigger.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in compare and order fractions, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with compare and order fractions? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.