Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 3 Maths Guides

Year 3 - Maths

Solve problems involving comparing and ordering unit fractions in a range of contexts

Compare and order unit fractions

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will compare and order unit fractions by looking at the denominator and understanding what it represents.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to solve problems involving comparing and ordering unit fractions in a range of contexts.

Key Notes

  • When comparing unit fractions, the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction.
  • When comparing unit fractions, the smaller the denominator, the larger the fraction.
  • Equal parts may not look the same.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Whole: The whole is all of a group or number.
  • Part: A part is a section of the whole.
  • Denominator: A denominator is the bottom number in a fraction. It shows how many parts a whole has been divided into.
  • Unit fraction: A unit fraction is a fraction where the numerator is 1

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • When looking at fraction notation, children might still be prone to considering the greater denominator to signify a greater fraction.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.

When comparing unit fractions, the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction. When comparing unit fractions, the smaller the denominator, the larger the fraction.

2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Whole'

The whole is all of a group or number. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: When looking at fraction notation, children might still be prone to considering the greater denominator to signify a greater fraction. Correction: Get the whole class on board with reminding one another that the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction. You can model this by making this mistake as you teach and the children can call you out on it - they will enjoy that!

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 Maths guide library.