Compare fractions with unlike denominators worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve each of these fraction comparison problems step by step and then fill in the blanks at the bottom.

---

Step-by-step Solutions:

We will compare each pair of fractions using one of the following methods:
- If denominators are the same → compare numerators.
- If numerators are the same → compare denominators (smaller denominator = larger fraction).
- Otherwise, convert to common denominators or decimals.

---

1) $\frac{2}{10} \quad \square \quad \frac{2}{5}$

Same numerator (2). Smaller denominator means larger fraction.
$ \frac{2}{5} > \frac{2}{10} $ → So, $ \frac{2}{10} < \frac{2}{5} $

✔ Answer: <

---

2) $\frac{2}{11} \quad \square \quad \frac{4}{11}$

Same denominator (11). Compare numerators: 2 < 4 → $ \frac{2}{11} < \frac{4}{11} $

✔ Answer: <

---

3) $\frac{2}{9} \quad \square \quad \frac{1}{9}$

Same denominator (9). Numerators: 2 > 1 → $ \frac{2}{9} > \frac{1}{9} $

✔ Answer: >

---

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

Same numerator (2). Smaller denominator → larger fraction.
$ \frac{2}{3} > \frac{2}{4} $ → So, $ \frac{2}{4} < \frac{2}{3} $

✔ Answer: <

---

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

Same denominator (5). Numerator: 1 < 4 → $ \frac{1}{5} < \frac{4}{5} $

✔ Answer: <

---

6) $\frac{2}{10} \quad \square \quad \frac{2}{8}$

Same numerator (2). Smaller denominator → larger fraction.
$ \frac{2}{8} > \frac{2}{10} $ → So, $ \frac{2}{10} < \frac{2}{8} $

✔ Answer: <

---

7) $\frac{4}{6} \quad \square \quad \frac{4}{9}$

Same numerator (4). Smaller denominator → larger fraction.
$ \frac{4}{6} > \frac{4}{9} $

✔ Answer: >

---

8) $\frac{3}{11} \quad \square \quad \frac{3}{4}$

Same numerator (3). Smaller denominator → larger fraction.
$ \frac{3}{4} > \frac{3}{11} $ → So, $ \frac{3}{11} < \frac{3}{4} $

✔ Answer: <

---

9) $\frac{6}{8} \quad \square \quad \frac{6}{12}$

Same numerator (6). Smaller denominator → larger fraction.
$ \frac{6}{8} > \frac{6}{12} $

✔ Answer: >

---

10) $\frac{2}{7} \quad \square \quad \frac{5}{7}$

Same denominator (7). Numerators: 2 < 5 → $ \frac{2}{7} < \frac{5}{7} $

✔ Answer: <

---

11) $\frac{6}{7} \quad \square \quad \frac{6}{9}$

Same numerator (6). Smaller denominator → larger fraction.
$ \frac{6}{7} > \frac{6}{9} $

✔ Answer: >

---

12) $\frac{3}{9} \quad \square \quad \frac{7}{9}$

Same denominator (9). Numerators: 3 < 7 → $ \frac{3}{9} < \frac{7}{9} $

✔ Answer: <

---

13) $\frac{3}{4} \quad \square \quad \frac{2}{4}$

Same denominator (4). Numerators: 3 > 2 → $ \frac{3}{4} > \frac{2}{4} $

✔ Answer: >

---

14) $\frac{4}{5} \quad \square \quad \frac{2}{5}$

Same denominator (5). Numerators: 4 > 2 → $ \frac{4}{5} > \frac{2}{5} $

✔ Answer: >

---

15) $\frac{4}{6} \quad \square \quad \frac{3}{6}$

Same denominator (6). Numerators: 4 > 3 → $ \frac{4}{6} > \frac{3}{6} $

✔ Answer: >

---

16) $\frac{3}{12} \quad \square \quad \frac{3}{4}$

Same numerator (3). Smaller denominator → larger fraction.
$ \frac{3}{4} > \frac{3}{12} $ → So, $ \frac{3}{12} < \frac{3}{4} $

✔ Answer: <

---

✔ Final Answers:

1) <
2) <
3) >
4) <
5) <
6) <
7) >
8) <
9) >
10) <
11) >
12) <
13) >
14) >
15) >
16) <

---

Fill in the Blanks:

> When the denominators are the same, the fraction with the largest numerator is the largest fraction.

> When the numerators are the same, the fraction with the smallest denominator is the largest fraction.

---

✔ Complete Answer Key:

| Problem | Symbol |
|--------|--------|
| 1) | < |
| 2) | < |
| 3) | > |
| 4) | < |
| 5) | < |
| 6) | < |
| 7) | > |
| 8) | < |
| 9) | > |
| 10) | < |
| 11) | > |
| 12) | < |
| 13) | > |
| 14) | > |
| 15) | > |
| 16) | < |

And the blanks:
- largest numerator
- smallest denominator

Let me know if you'd like this as a printable worksheet!