Name_______________________________

Date______________

Comparing Fractions Strategies

The following students compared

3
7

5
8

and

in a variety of ways. Examine and

describe each students stratey. Then, respond to the questions that follow.
Kristinas Method

3
1
is less than
7
2
4 1
3
= ; Therefore,
8 2
7

3.5 1
=
7 2
5
is less than
8
because

5
8

is greater than

1
2

because

Describe Kristinas thinking:

Danes Method

3 24
=
7 56

and

5 35
=
; therefore
8 56

3
7

is less than

5
8

Describe Danes Thinking:

Joeys Method
I cross multiplied across and since the top product is larger than the bottom product I knew
that were not equal.
I then thought about it and decided that the 2nd fraction or

3
5

largest product was the top product.

3 5
=
7 8
2
4

Describe Joeys Thinking:

5
8

is bigger because the

1. What do students need to understand about adding fractions in order

to solve problems using these strategies?

2. Are the methods mathematically valid? (Does they result in accurate

answers? Do the procedures make good mathematical sense?) Explain.

3. Is each method generalizable? (Can it be applied effectively to other

problems of the same type?) Explain.

4. Is each method efficient? Does it take a long time to do? Can the procedure
be streamlined or represented in a different way to take less time but still record
mathematical thinking?) Explain.

5. Do you see these students strategies as good strategies? Explain.