Comparing Fractions Worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s solve this step by step.

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## 🎯 Goal:
Compare fractions in each box and fill in the correct symbol: >, <, or =.
Then color:
- RED if it’s >
- BLUE if it’s <
- GREEN if it’s =

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## ✔ Step 1: Compare Fractions

We’ll go row by row.

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🔹 Row 1:

1. 1/5 ___ 2/5
→ Same denominator (5). Compare numerators: 1 < 2 → 1/5 < 2/5 → BLUE

2. 4/9 ___ 4/9
→ Identical fractions → 4/9 = 4/9 → GREEN

3. 2/10 ___ 1/10
→ Same denominator (10). 2 > 1 → 2/10 > 1/10 → RED

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🔹 Row 2:

4. 1/2 ___ 2/2
→ Same denominator (2). 1 < 2 → 1/2 < 2/2 → BLUE

5. 5/8 ___ 3/8
→ Same denominator (8). 5 > 3 → 5/8 > 3/8 → RED

6. 8/9 ___ 1/9
→ Same denominator (9). 8 > 1 → 8/9 > 1/9 → RED

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🔹 Row 3:

7. 1/7 ___ 6/7
→ Same denominator (7). 1 < 6 → 1/7 < 6/7 → BLUE

8. 2/6 ___ 2/6
→ Identical → 2/6 = 2/6 → GREEN

9. 8/9 ___ 6/9
→ Same denominator (9). 8 > 6 → 8/9 > 6/9 → RED

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🔹 Row 4:

10. 1/4 ___ 3/4
→ Same denominator (4). 1 < 3 → 1/4 < 3/4 → BLUE

11. 1/8 ___ 7/8
→ Same denominator (8). 1 < 7 → 1/8 < 7/8 → BLUE

12. 4/6 ___ 1/6
→ Same denominator (6). 4 > 1 → 4/6 > 1/6 → RED

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## 🖍️ Coloring Summary:

| Box | Symbol | Color |
|-----|--------|--------|
| 1 | < | BLUE |
| 2 | = | GREEN |
| 3 | > | RED |
| 4 | < | BLUE |
| 5 | > | RED |
| 6 | > | RED |
| 7 | < | BLUE |
| 8 | = | GREEN |
| 9 | > | RED |
| 10 | < | BLUE |
| 11 | < | BLUE |
| 12 | > | RED |

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## 📝 Explanation Section:

> Explain how you knew what symbol to put in the blanks...

✔ Answer:

I compared the fractions by looking at their denominators first. If the denominators were the same, I just compared the numerators — the fraction with the bigger numerator is larger. For example, 2/5 is greater than 1/5 because 2 > 1 and they both have 5 as the denominator. When the fractions are exactly the same, like 4/9 and 4/9, I used the equal sign (=).

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## 🍕 Word Problem:

> There is 1/4 of a pepperoni pizza left and 3/4 of a mushroom pizza. Which pizza has the MOST left?

✔ Answer:

The mushroom pizza has the most left because 3/4 is greater than 1/4. Since both fractions have the same denominator (4), we compare numerators: 3 > 1, so 3/4 > 1/4.

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## ✔ Final Answers for the Grid:

Fill in the blanks as follows:

```
1/5 < 2/5 4/9 = 4/9 2/10 > 1/10
1/2 < 2/2 5/8 > 3/8 8/9 > 1/9
1/7 < 6/7 2/6 = 2/6 8/9 > 6/9
1/4 < 3/4 1/8 < 7/8 4/6 > 1/6
```

Color accordingly:
- RED: boxes 3, 5, 6, 9, 12
- BLUE: boxes 1, 4, 7, 10, 11
- GREEN: boxes 2, 8

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✔ You’re all done! This worksheet helps build understanding of comparing fractions with common denominators — a key foundational skill!