Comparing Fractions

Comparing fractions can be as easy as P-I-Z-Z-A!

Tom made the next cut in the pizza and it looked like this:

What fraction would best describe 1 slice of this pizza?

because a slice is 1 part of a whole of 4 slices.

Answer:

What if you had 2 slices?

You would have:

Two-fourths.

What other fraction does 2 slices of the pizza look like?

=

Two-fourths and one-half are equal!

How could you tell that these fractions were equal without the pictures?

By reducing.  Reducing is a way of putting a fraction into its simplest form.

**Can you divide the top and bottom number by the same number?

Both 2 and 4 are divisible by 2.

Now 1 can't be divided into anything smaller, this fraction is now in its most reduced form.

The spicy aroma of the freshly cut pizza filled the kitchen.
"Im hungry as a horse," said Jennifer, 
"I think I could use a nibble or two," said Sally.
Taylor silently stared at the pizza as though he'd fallen in love,
"I guess we'd better finish cutting up this pie quickly," Tom exclaimed.  He made tow more rapid slices across the pizza.  It looked liket this:

Now what fraction would represent the entire pizza?

Think carefully:  These are 8 pieces, out of a whole 8 so:

How much is that? Well if you have a pizza with 8 slices and you have all 8 slices you have 1 whole pizza so:

= 1

Any number over itself is equal to 1!

courtesy Math Smart Junior
by Marcia Lerner