Equivalent & Comparing Fractions

An equivalent fraction is a fraction that represents the same part of a whole as another fraction, even though the numbers may be different. For example, $$\frac{1}{2}$$ and $$\frac{2}{4}$$ are equivalent.

You can find equivalent fractions by multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number. For example, multiplying both the numerator and denominator of $$\frac{1}{3}$$ by 2 gives you $$\frac{2}{6}$$ .

Comparing fractions means determining which fraction is larger, smaller, or if they are equal. This can be done by finding a common denominator or by converting them to decimals.

$$\frac{3}{4}$$ is greater than $$\frac{1}{2}$$ .

The symbol for 'less than' is <.

The symbol for 'greater than' is >.

The symbol for 'equal to' is =.

< (less than) because $$\frac{2}{5}$$ is less than $$\frac{4}{5}$$ .

A number line is a straight line with numbers placed at equal intervals along its length, used to represent numbers and their relationships.

You can place fractions on a number line to see their relative positions. The fraction that is further to the right is greater.