Ordering and Comparing Fractions Practice for 11 Plus Exams
26 October 2026
Why comparing and ordering fractions matters
Comparing and ordering fractions is a key skill for 11+ maths. Many exam questions ask children to decide which fraction is larger or to put a set of fractions in order. Practising these skills helps children feel more confident when working with numbers.
How to compare fractions
Start by checking if the denominators are the same. If they are, compare the numerators. If the denominators are different, find a common denominator or convert the fractions to decimals. This makes it easier to see which fraction is bigger.
Finding a common denominator
To compare fractions with different denominators, find the lowest common multiple of the denominators. Rewrite each fraction with this common denominator, then compare the numerators.
Worked example
Compare 3/4 and 5/6
Step 1: Find the lowest common multiple of 4 and 6. This is 12.
Step 2: Convert 3/4 to twelfths. 3 × 3 = 9, so 3/4 = 9/12.
Step 3: Convert 5/6 to twelfths. 5 × 2 = 10, so 5/6 = 10/12.
Step 4: Compare the numerators. 9 is less than 10.
So, 5/6 is greater than 3/4.
Ordering fractions
To order several fractions, repeat the process so all have the same denominator. Then arrange them by their numerators from smallest to largest.
Using decimals to compare
You can also convert each fraction to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator. This is helpful if your child is comfortable with decimals.
Key insight: Practising these steps regularly helps children gain confidence in comparing and ordering fractions, making them better prepared for 11+ maths questions.
