Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Comparing Fractions: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Comparing Fractions is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children write the correct symbol, <, > or =, between each pair of fractions in a table. They compare fractions with the same denominator and unit fractions. It takes about 10 minutes and needs only a pencil. Page 2 gives the adult the notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 is a table with two columns, Fraction and Symbol. Children look at each pair of fractions and write the symbol that fits between them: less than, greater than or equal to. They use two ideas. When the denominators match, they look at the numerators. When the fractions are unit fractions, they think about the size of the parts. There is no writing beyond the symbol.
- Fraction
- Symbol
Worked example
Which symbol goes between 4/9 and 7/9?
This is a practice example to show two ways children can work.
Method 1: count the parts- Look at the denominators. Both are 9, so the whole is split into equal parts of the same size.
- Look at the numerators. 4 ninths is 4 parts. 7 ninths is 7 parts.
- 4 parts is fewer than 7 parts, so 4/9 is the smaller fraction. The open side of the symbol faces 7/9.
- Draw two bars of the same length. Split each into 9 equal parts.
- Shade 4 parts on the first bar and 7 parts on the second.
- The second bar has more shading, so 7/9 is bigger.
What does comparing fractions mean?
Comparing fractions means deciding which of two fractions is bigger, which is smaller, or whether they are the same size. A fraction describes equal parts of a whole. The denominator tells you how many equal parts the whole is split into. The numerator tells you how many of those parts you have.
With the same denominator, the parts are the same size, so the fraction with more parts is bigger. A unit fraction has a numerator of 1. The more parts a whole is split into, the smaller each part is. Pictures such as bars and strips help children see these ideas before they use the symbols.
Skills and curriculum link
- Comparing fractions
- Using the symbols < > and =
- Same denominators
- Unit fractions
- Explaining reasoning
Ideas that help with comparing fractions
- Same denominatorThe parts are all the same size. Compare the numerators to see which fraction has more parts.
- Unit fractionsEach has a numerator of 1. Think about how big one part is when the whole is split up.
- Equal fractionsTwo fractions can look different and still be the same size. The symbol for that is =.
- Picture firstA bar or a paper strip makes the size of each fraction easy to see. Compare the shaded parts.
Key words
- FractionA number that describes equal parts of a whole.
- NumeratorThe top number. It shows how many parts you have.
- DenominatorThe bottom number. It shows how many equal parts the whole is split into.
- Unit fractionA fraction with 1 as the numerator.
- Greater than, >The symbol for when the first number is bigger than the second.
- Less than, <The symbol for when the first number is smaller than the second.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Talk through the symbols first. The open side of the symbol faces the bigger number. Try one or two pairs of your own aloud.
- Work through the table together the first time. Ask your child to say why they chose each symbol. The sheet takes about 10 minutes.
- Check against the answers on page 2. Talk about any that were different and look at them with a drawing.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Draw a bar for each fraction in a pair. Split each bar into the right number of equal parts and shade the parts you need. Or fold paper strips instead. Put the bars side by side and see which shading is longer. Then choose the symbol.
To stretch confident children
Choose two unit fractions of your own. Draw them and explain, in a sentence, which is bigger and why. Then write three different fractions that are equal to 1/2. Show a friend with a drawing that each one is the same size as a half.
Make it a game
Make fraction cards using the same denominator or a numerator of 1. Deal them out. Each player turns over a card at the same time. The larger fraction wins both cards. If the fractions are equal, the first player to say "Equal!" wins them.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child thinks that a bigger denominator always means a bigger fraction, even for unit fractions.
Try thisDraw the whole as a bar and split it into different numbers of equal parts. Ask which parts are bigger, then compare.
Watch forThe symbol points the wrong way round.
Try thisSay the rule aloud: the open side faces the bigger number. Cover the symbol and read the pair as a sentence, such as "is less than".
Watch forWith the same denominator, a child compares the denominators instead of the numerators.
Try thisPoint out that the parts are the same size. Ask, "How many parts does each fraction have?" Shade them to show it.
Talk about it
- How can you tell which fraction is bigger without drawing it?
- What does the denominator tell us about the parts?
- Why does the open side of the symbol face the bigger number?
- When might two different looking fractions be equal?
- Can you draw a picture to prove your answer?
- Where do we see fractions at home or at school?
Take it off the page
Paper strip fractions
Fold strips of paper into equal parts and shade some. Place two strips side by side and decide which shaded part is longer.
Brick towers
Build a tower of bricks and say what fraction is one colour. Build a second tower the same height and compare the fractions.
Fraction snap
Write fractions on small pieces of paper and play snap. The larger fraction wins the pair.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Ask them to explain each choice. If they hesitate, ask them to draw a bar. About 10 minutes is plenty. Praise the thinking as well as the right answers.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 has answers, support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, and the bar model helps explain mistakes quickly.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan. Use paper strips or bricks alongside it to make the ideas hands on. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or return to it in a few weeks for revision.
Where this fits
Before this, children name and write fractions of a whole and use pictures to see equal parts. They learn that a unit fraction is one equal part of a whole. This sheet builds on that by asking which fraction is bigger or smaller.
Next, children compare and order fractions in more ways. Later they meet fractions with different denominators and use equivalent fractions to compare them. Secure work with symbols and pictures now makes that step easier.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Comparing Fractions for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9) in Key Stage 2. Children in Year 3 or Year 5 may also find it useful for support or revision.
- What will children practise?
Children compare fractions with the same denominator and unit fractions. They write the symbols <, > and = in a table. They also practise explaining their choices.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 10 minutes. Work through it together the first time, then let your child try alone. Come back to it another day to build confidence.
- What if it feels too hard?
Draw a bar for each fraction and shade the parts. Or fold paper strips. Compare the shaded parts, then choose the symbol. Page 2 has more help for the adult.
- Are the answers included?
Yes. Page 2 is for the adult and includes the answers, notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
- Is it free, and can I use it in class?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Black and white printing on plain A4 paper is fine.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.