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⚖️ Comparing Fractions and Decimals

Decide which number is bigger — whether you are comparing two fractions, two decimals, or a fraction against a decimal — using clear, reliable rules.

3
lessons
~30 min
to learn
🔢 Math
subject
Ages 6–12
level
Start the course →

What you’ll learn

  1. Comparing FractionsCompare fractions using the same-denominator rule (bigger top wins) and the same-numerator rule (smaller bottom wins).To compare fractions, use two rules. When the bottom numbers match, the pieces are the same size, so the bigger top number wins — 3/5 beats 2/5. When the top numbers match, the smaller bottom number wins, because fewer parts makes each piece bigger — 1/3 beats 1/5.
  2. Comparing DecimalsCompare decimals by lining up place values, checking tenths first and hundredths next.To compare decimals, work from the biggest place value down: compare the tenths first, and only look at the hundredths if the tenths are equal. On a number line, the decimal further to the right is bigger, so 0.7 is larger than 0.3. Comparing to 0.5 is a fast way to judge a decimal.
  3. Fractions vs DecimalsCompare a fraction with a decimal by converting one form into the other, using key pairs like 1/2 = 0.5.Fractions and decimals are two ways to write the same amount, so to compare them you turn one into the other. Key pairs to know are 1/2 = 0.5, 1/4 = 0.25, and 3/4 = 0.75. To decide whether 3/4 or 0.7 is bigger, write 3/4 as 0.75 and compare: 0.75 is larger.

Questions this course answers

Which fraction is bigger: 3/5 or 2/5?

Same bottom number means same-size pieces, so more pieces wins: 3/5 is bigger.

Which fraction is bigger: 1/3 or 1/5?

The tops are equal, so the smaller bottom wins. Thirds are bigger than fifths, so 1/3 is larger.

When two fractions have the same bottom number, the bigger fraction has the...

With the same bottom, the fraction with the bigger top number has more pieces, so it is larger.

Which decimal is bigger: 0.3 or 0.7?

7 tenths is more than 3 tenths, so 0.7 is bigger.

To compare two decimals, which digits do you look at first?

Start with the tenths, the first digit after the point, then move to hundredths if needed.

Which of these is SMALLER than 0.5?

0.45 has 4 tenths, which is less than 5 tenths, so it is under a half.

Grounded in trusted sources

  • Khan Academy
  • BBC Bitesize — Maths
  • NCTM
  • Math is Fun
  • Nrich (University of Cambridge)

Every Wunder lesson is built from real, reputable sources — never invented.

Related Math courses

📏Tenths, Hundredths, and Thousandths💰Adding and Subtracting Decimals⏱️Comparing How Long Things Take⚖️Comparing Measurements⚖️Comparing Numbers to 10🐘Comparing Sizes and Amounts⚖️Comparing Unit Fractions🦋Completing Symmetrical Figures

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