Fraction strips: which is bigger, and which fractions are equal
For parents and teachers of children in Years 2 to 5. Your child compares two fractions or fills in the missing number of an equivalent fraction, with strips of the same whole lined up underneath, so they can see the answer as well as work it out. Free, no sign-up.
How to use it with your child
- Choose Which is bigger? or Equal fractions, and the largest denominator: up to 6 for a first look, up to 12 for revision.
- Leave Strips on while fractions are new. Turn them off for a harder set: the strips then appear after each answer to show why.
- Tap Start on this device and hand over the screen. In Which is bigger? your child taps the bigger fraction, or the same. In Equal fractions they type the missing number on the pad.
- Print sheet puts the same questions on paper with the answers on a second page. Print a fraction wall gives a labelled wall and a blank one to colour in.
Which school years it suits
Fractions start around Year 2–3 (P2–P3, 小2–小3, 초3, 三年級). Equivalent fractions follow in Year 3–4 in Singapore (P3) and Taiwan (四年級), and comparing fractions with different denominators is a Year 4–5 topic in Japan (小4–小5) and Korea (초5).
Why strips help
A strip shows a fraction as a length of one whole, so 2/3 and 4/6 visibly end at the same place. Children who can picture that are less tempted to think 1/8 is bigger than 1/6 because 8 is bigger than 6.
Every answer is computed by the page (it multiplies across, never rounds), so the key is always right.
A routine that works
Do one short set with the strips on, then the same sheet number with the strips off. The questions are the same, so your child can feel the difference between seeing and knowing.
Ready-made links
- Which is bigger? Denominators up to 6
- Equal fractions up to twelfths
- Comparing without strips, 20 questions
Questions parents ask
What is a fraction wall?
A chart of strips the same length: one whole, then halves, thirds and so on down to twelfths. Equal lengths line up, so it shows at a glance that 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6. Print a fraction wall prints one with labels and one blank.
Are the fractions always less than 1?
Yes. Every fraction here is a proper fraction (the top number is smaller), which is where fraction work starts in all four countries.
How is "the same" marked?
About one question in five has two equal fractions, such as 3/4 and 6/8. The right answer is the same, so your child can't simply guess the bigger denominator.