Question

Explain how to use the missing pieces strategy to compare two fractions. Include a diagram with your explanation.

Answer 1

The missing pieces strategy is another method to compare two fractions. To tell which number is larger, you need to see which one is missing less. For example, you have 3/4 versus 4/5. Each of these fractions needs 1 to complete the whole. You need to subtract the numerator with one to compare them. For 3/4 we have 1/4 and for 4/5 we have 1/5. You know that if you complete 4/5 you will get 4. You know that 5 is greater than four. Therefore, 4/5 is larger than 3/4.