How do equivalent fractions help you compare fractions with different numerators and denominators?

Fractions that have different numerators and denominators can be compared using models or by using equivalent fractions with common denominators.

Example 1:	To compare different groups of juice boxes
	using models to find which group has a
	greater fraction of grape juice:

• Each group of juice boxes is one whole. You are comparing one whole group to another whole group.

• Notice that 5 of the 9 juice boxes in the top group is only a small portion of the total boxes in that group. Then notice that 3 of the 4 juice boxes in the bottom group are almost all of the total boxes in that group.

This means that is less of a whole group than .

• Remember, the larger the denominator, the smaller the part of the whole group it represents.

You can also draw fraction models to compare the groups.

The fraction models show that is less than .