3rd Grade Ordering Fractions with Inequality Signs Worksheet: 8 Rows

Putting fractions in order is easy once you know which number to look at. This 3rd grade ordering fractions with inequality signs worksheet has eight rows, labelled a to h, and each row holds five fractions. An arrow points from every row to a long answer box. Rows a, d and f share the same bottom number, such as sixths, fourths or eighths. Rows b, c, e, g and h share the same top number instead. In row a, the box already shows four "less than" signs, and in row b it shows four "greater than" signs. From row c onward the boxes are empty, so your child chooses the direction. A girl with a slingshot runs across the bottom of the page. Page two fills in all eight boxes.

Eight rows to check

Every order in the key is right. For example, row a reads 1/6 < 2/6 < 9/6 < 10/6 3/4 > 3/6 > 3/7 > 3/8. Row c starts with 1/33, the smallest fraction on the page, because it has the most parts.

Two rules do all the work here. When the bottom numbers are the same, the bigger top number gives the bigger fraction. When the top numbers are the same, the bigger denominator cuts the whole into smaller parts, so that fraction is less. Ordering fractions with the same numerator or denominator is a third grade skill, but bottom numbers like 15, 28 and 33 go well beyond it.

At the table: look first, then sort

Before your child writes anything, ask them to circle the number that stays the same in the row. If it is the bottom number, they sort by the top numbers, just like whole numbers. If it is the top number, they sort the other way round.

The page has a typo in its title, which reads "Ordinaring fractions" instead of "Ordering fractions", on both pages. Some fractions are also bigger than one whole, like 9/6, 12/4 or 3/1, which equals 3. Talk about them, since a child may think a fraction is always less than 1.

After the page: fraction cards

Write five fractions with the same bottom number on small cards and mix them up. Then ask your child to lay them out from least to greatest. Next, make a new set with the same top number and do it again. Finally, check the eight rows with the answer key on page two.