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Math Grade 4-5 Answer Key

Comparing Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Use common denominators, benchmarks, and reasoning to compare fractions

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Comparing Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Use common denominators, benchmarks, and reasoning to compare fractions

Math - Grade 4-5

Instructions: Read each problem carefully. Compare the fractions and show your work in the space provided.
  1. 1

    Compare 2/3 and 3/5 using <, >, or =. Show how you know.

    Use 15 as a common denominator.

    2/3 is greater than 3/5. Using a common denominator of 15, 2/3 equals 10/15 and 3/5 equals 9/15, so 2/3 > 3/5.
  2. 2

    Compare 1/4 and 2/3 using <, >, or =. Explain your reasoning.

    1/4 is less than 2/3. Using a common denominator of 12, 1/4 equals 3/12 and 2/3 equals 8/12, so 1/4 < 2/3.
  3. 3

    Maya ate 3/8 of a granola bar. Leo ate 1/2 of the same kind of granola bar. Who ate more?

    Rename 1/2 using eighths.

    Leo ate more. One half equals 4/8, and 4/8 is greater than 3/8.
  4. 4

    Compare 5/6 and 7/8 using <, >, or =. Show your work.

    5/6 is less than 7/8. Using a common denominator of 24, 5/6 equals 20/24 and 7/8 equals 21/24, so 5/6 < 7/8.
  5. 5

    Put these fractions in order from least to greatest: 1/2, 3/4, 2/3.

    Try changing all three fractions to twelfths.

    The fractions in order from least to greatest are 1/2, 2/3, 3/4. Using twelfths, 1/2 equals 6/12, 2/3 equals 8/12, and 3/4 equals 9/12.
  6. 6

    Compare 4/5 and 5/8 using <, >, or =. Explain your reasoning.

    4/5 is greater than 5/8. Using a common denominator of 40, 4/5 equals 32/40 and 5/8 equals 25/40, so 4/5 > 5/8.
  7. 7

    A recipe uses 2/3 cup of milk and 3/4 cup of water. Which amount is greater?

    Compare 8/12 and 9/12.

    3/4 cup of water is greater. Using a common denominator of 12, 2/3 equals 8/12 and 3/4 equals 9/12.
  8. 8

    Compare 3/10 and 1/3 using <, >, or =. Show how you know.

    3/10 is less than 1/3. Using a common denominator of 30, 3/10 equals 9/30 and 1/3 equals 10/30, so 3/10 < 1/3.
  9. 9

    Which fraction is closer to 1: 4/5 or 5/6? Explain your answer.

    Think about how much more each fraction needs to make one whole.

    5/6 is closer to 1. The fraction 4/5 is 1/5 away from 1, and 5/6 is 1/6 away from 1. Since 1/6 is smaller than 1/5, 5/6 is closer to 1.
  10. 10

    Compare 2/7 and 3/8 using <, >, or =. Show your work.

    2/7 is less than 3/8. Using a common denominator of 56, 2/7 equals 16/56 and 3/8 equals 21/56, so 2/7 < 3/8.
  11. 11

    Jada ran 5/12 of a mile. Omar ran 3/8 of a mile. Who ran farther?

    Use 24 as a common denominator.

    Jada ran farther. Using a common denominator of 24, 5/12 equals 10/24 and 3/8 equals 9/24.
  12. 12

    Put these fractions in order from greatest to least: 7/10, 2/3, 3/5.

    The fractions in order from greatest to least are 7/10, 2/3, 3/5. Using thirtieths, 7/10 equals 21/30, 2/3 equals 20/30, and 3/5 equals 18/30.
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