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Comparing fractions, decimals and percentages

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Watch: Comparing fractions, percentages and decimals

Watch this video from Maths and Numeracy which shows how Snoot, Fin and Plimble compare fractions, decimals and percentages when fuelling their saucer.

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Fractions, decimals and percentages all have equivalents of each other, so it is quite easy to compare and order them!

All you need to do is convert them into the same form.

Often, it is easiest to convert them into percentages, because then it is really obvious which is the biggest or smallest.

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Watch: Converting between fractions, percentages and decimals

Watch the video from ±«Óătv Teach to quickly revise how to convert between fractions, decimals and percentages.

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Converting fractions into percentages

Per cent means out of 100. Since not all fractions have a denominator of 100, you have to convert the fraction into one that does. Then the numerator is the percentage amount.

For example:

What is ÂčÂČ⁄₂₅ as a percentage?

12/25 is equal to 48/100

If you multiply both the numerator and denominator by 4 you find the equivalent fraction with a denominator of 100.

48 percent expressed as a fraction and percentage

You can see that ÂčÂČ⁄₂₅ written as a percentage is 48%.

Another method you could use to convert a fraction to a percentage, is to divide the numerator by the denominator and multiply the answer by 100.

For example:

What is Âč⁄₈ as a percentage?

First divide the numerator by the denominator


1 Ă· 8 = 0.125

then multiply the answer by 100.

0.125 x 100 = 12.5%

Therefore, you can see that Âč⁄₈ written as a percentage is 12.5%

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Converting decimals into percentages

Teacher holding a book reading x 100

It can be quite straightforward to convert a decimal to a percentage. You can simply multiply the decimal by 100 to turn it into a percentage.

For example:

What is 0.67 as a percentage?

0.67 x 100 = 67

Therefore

0.67 = 67%

Teacher holding a book reading x 100
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Example 1

Now here's a few for you to try.

Can you convert and order these into ascending order?

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  1. Image showing the figures 0.7, 67%, 2/5 and 0.99

    Convert these numbers and then put them in ascending order.

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Example 2

Now try these ones. Can you convert and order these into descending order?

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  1. Image showing the numbers 2/8, 32%, 4/10 and 0.01

    Convert these numbers and put them in descending order.

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Activities

Quiz 1

Order and compare fractions, decimals and percentages

Use what you have learned to place these amounts in order from lowest to highest.

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Quiz 2

Ordering fractions, decimals and percentages

Do you feel confident converting and ordering fractions, percentages and decimals now? Play this quiz to put what you have learned to the test.

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