Lesson · Grade 5 · Mathematics
Comparing fractions on a number line
- Grade 5
- Mathematics
- 1 min 2 s
- British Columbia
- BC5-MA-08
Two matching number lines from 0 to 1 are cut into thirds and quarters, and counting equal parts from 0 places 2/3 on one and 3/4 on the other. A line dropped straight down from 2/3 lands to the left of 3/4, so 3/4 is further right and therefore greater: 2/3 < 3/4.
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In one sentence
The question this lesson answers
Which is greater, two thirds or three quarters?
Start with a number line that goes from 0 to 1.
Transcript
What the lesson says
Which is greater, two thirds or three quarters?
Start with a number line that goes from 0 to 1.
To show thirds, cut the line into 3 equal parts.
Count 2 parts from 0 to reach two thirds.
Draw a second line below it, with 0 and 1 lined up.
To show quarters, cut this line into 4 equal parts.
Count 3 parts from 0 to reach three quarters.
Now drop a line straight down from two thirds.
Three quarters is further to the right than two thirds.
On a number line, numbers get greater as you move to the right.
Two thirds is less than three quarters, so three quarters is greater.
To compare fractions, place them on matching number lines, and the one further right is greater.
Curriculum
Where this fits
- British Columbia, Grade 5
Mathematics, Number: whole-number, fraction, and decimal benchmarksBC5-MA-08
Previous: Fraction Benchmarks: Is 3/8 Closer to 0, One Half or 1?Next: Which is bigger, 0.5 or 0.45?
- British Columbia, Grade 6
Mathematics, Number: improper fractions and mixed numbersBC6-MA-13
Previous: Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers: 7/4 = 1 3/4Next: What a ratio is: part to part and part to whole
- British Columbia, Grade 7
Mathematics, Number: relationships between decimals, fractions, ratios, and percentsBC7-MA-31
Previous: Equivalent fractions and lowest formNext: Ordering fractions, decimals and percents together
This lesson is also listed in Grade 6 and Grade 7.
The outcomes and strands follow the British Columbia curriculum.
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