Compare fractions with unlike denominators interactive worksheet ... - Free Printable

Let's solve each problem step by step using the method shown in the example: finding a common denominator, cross-multiplying, or comparing numerators once denominators are the same.

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🔷 Step-by-step Strategy:

1. Find a common denominator (multiply denominators if needed).
2. Convert fractions to equivalent ones with the same denominator.
3. Compare numerators.
4. Fill in the correct symbol: `>`, `<`, or `=`.

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We’ll go through all 16 problems:

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1) $ \frac{1}{2} \quad \square \quad \frac{2}{6} $

- Simplify $ \frac{2}{6} = \frac{1}{3} $
- Compare $ \frac{1}{2} $ vs $ \frac{1}{3} $
- Common denominator: 6
- $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{6} $
- $ \frac{2}{6} = \frac{2}{6} $
- $ \frac{3}{6} > \frac{2}{6} $

✔ Answer: >

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2) $ \frac{3}{5} \quad \square \quad \frac{1}{2} $

- Common denominator: 10
- $ \frac{3}{5} = \frac{6}{10} $
- $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{10} $
- $ \frac{6}{10} > \frac{5}{10} $

✔ Answer: >

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3) $ \frac{1}{2} \quad \square \quad \frac{1}{6} $

- Common denominator: 6
- $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{6} $
- $ \frac{1}{6} = \frac{1}{6} $
- $ \frac{3}{6} > \frac{1}{6} $

✔ Answer: >

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4) $ \frac{2}{5} \quad \square \quad \frac{3}{6} $

- Simplify $ \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2} $
- Common denominator: 10
- $ \frac{2}{5} = \frac{4}{10} $
- $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{10} $
- $ \frac{4}{10} < \frac{5}{10} $

✔ Answer: <

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5) $ \frac{5}{6} \quad \square \quad \frac{1}{4} $

- Common denominator: 12
- $ \frac{5}{6} = \frac{10}{12} $
- $ \frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{12} $
- $ \frac{10}{12} > \frac{3}{12} $

✔ Answer: >

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6) $ \frac{2}{4} \quad \square \quad \frac{1}{2} $

- Simplify $ \frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{2} $
- So, $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{2} $

✔ Answer: =

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11) $ \frac{2}{3} \quad \square \quad \frac{1}{2} $

- Common denominator: 6
- $ \frac{2}{3} = \frac{4}{6} $
- $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{6} $
- $ \frac{4}{6} > \frac{3}{6} $

✔ Answer: >

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12) $ \frac{5}{6} \quad \square \quad \frac{6}{10} $

- Simplify $ \frac{6}{10} = \frac{3}{5} $
- Common denominator: 30
- $ \frac{5}{6} = \frac{25}{30} $
- $ \frac{3}{5} = \frac{18}{30} $
- $ \frac{25}{30} > \frac{18}{30} $

✔ Answer: >

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13) $ \frac{5}{10} \quad \square \quad \frac{4}{10} $

- Same denominator: 10
- $ \frac{5}{10} > \frac{4}{10} $

✔ Answer: >

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14) $ \frac{3}{4} \quad \square \quad \frac{3}{5} $

- Common denominator: 20
- $ \frac{3}{4} = \frac{15}{20} $
- $ \frac{3}{5} = \frac{12}{20} $
- $ \frac{15}{20} > \frac{12}{20} $

✔ Answer: >

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15) $ \frac{2}{7} \quad \square \quad \frac{2}{4} $

- Simplify $ \frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{2} $
- Common denominator: 14
- $ \frac{2}{7} = \frac{4}{14} $
- $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{7}{14} $
- $ \frac{4}{14} < \frac{7}{14} $

✔ Answer: <

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16) $ \frac{4}{7} \quad \square \quad \frac{4}{7} $

- Identical fractions

✔ Answer: =

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## ✔ Final Answers:

| Problem | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 1) | > |
| 2) | > |
| 3) | > |
| 4) | < |
| 5) | > |
| 6) | = |
| 11) | > |
| 12) | > |
| 13) | > |
| 14) | > |
| 15) | < |
| 16) | = |

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🎉 Summary of Steps Used:

- Cross multiplication: e.g., compare $ \frac{a}{b} $ and $ \frac{c}{d} $ → compare $ a \times d $ and $ c \times b $
- Or use common denominators to make comparison easier.
- Always simplify fractions first if possible.

Let me know if you'd like a version with cross-multiplication shown! 😊