Skill: Compare fractions with the same denominator

When two fractions have the same positive denominator, their wholes are split into the same number of equal parts. Compare the numerators to see which fraction has more parts.

Example: Compare $\frac{3}{8}$ and $\frac{5}{8}$.

1. Check the denominators: both are $8$. This means both wholes are divided into eight equal parts.
2. Compare the numerators: $3$ and $5$.
3. Since $5>3$, five eighths is greater than three eighths.

Therefore,

$$\frac{5}{8}>\frac{3}{8}$$

You can picture this as eight equal spaces on a number line. $\frac{3}{8}$ is three spaces from $0$, while $\frac{5}{8}$ is five spaces from $0$, so $\frac{5}{8}$ is farther to the right and has the greater value.