Ordering fractions by size - Method 3

Putting fractions in order smallest to largest can be achieved if you simply work out the fraction. Remember

$1/2=0.5$

Example 1

Put the following fractions in order of the smallest to biggest fractions.

$8/3$ $5/4$ and $12/5$

$Ordering fractions by size method 3 example 1$

Now we can clearly see that

$5/4$ is the smallest then $12/5$ then $8/3$

Example 2

Put the following fractions in order of the smallest to biggest fraction

$1/2$ $1/3$ $1/4$ $1/6$ $1/8$

Complete the sums:

$Ordering fractions by size method 3 example 2$

Now you can clearly see that:

$1/8$ is the smallest followed by $1/6$ , $1/4$ $1/3$ and $1/2$

NOTE:

You should be familiar enough with fractions to realise that the biggest number divided into $1$ would obviously be the smallest fraction.

Example 3

Which is greater $3/8$ or $4/9$ ?

Complete the sums

$Ordering fractions by size method 3 example 3$

So $3/8=0.375$ and $4/9=0.4dot4$

Clearly $4/9$ is the larger fraction

Example 4

Put the following fractions in order of the smallest to biggest fraction

$2/6$ $1/2$ $7/16$ $3/4$ $5/8$

Complete the sums:

(Note: only go to a maximum of 2 decimal places)

$Ordering fractions by size method 3 example 4$

So $2/6=0.33$ $1/2=0.5$ $7/16=0.43$ $3/4=0.75$ $5/8=0.62$

We can clearly see that the order from the smallest is:

$2/6$ $7/16$ $1/2$ $5/8$ $3/4$