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`