INSTRUCTIONS
CompareWith Lines uses number lines to demonstrate comparing fractions.
You can unput the two fractions to compare. Each fraction must be less than one. Press the <OK> button and the number lines for the fractions will appear.
Many fractions can be compared by visualizing them, or you may compare by writing each fraction over a common denominator. Fractions written with the same denominator are known as like fractions.
If fractions are unlike, or have different denominators, you may make them like by writing over a common denominator. Here, the idea of the least common denominator or LCD can be used. For the fractions 3/4 and 2/3, The LCD is the smallest number that both denominators 4 and 3 will divide into evenly.
The LCD for the fractions 3/4 and 2/3 is 12 because both denominators 4 and 3 divide evenly into 12. Writing each fraction with the common denominator 12 will give you 9/12 and 8/12. You can now compare the numerators.
Suggestions:
Keep one of the fractions the same size, but change the size of the numerator and denominator of the other fractions and compare.
Demonstrate equivalent fractions with 2/3 and 4/6 or 1/5 and 2/10.
Demonstrate lowest terms with 4/12 and 1/3. Here, the numerator of 1/3 will have four check marks showing the common factor 4. It also shows that you are not "reducing" the fraction, an unfortunate expression used by many textbooks - and websites.
The <COLOR OFF> button toggles with <COLOR ON>. Turning off the colors also turns off the arrows pointing to the fractions. This will give your students a chance to color the fractions.
The <EXPLAIN OFF> button toggles with <EXPLAIN ON>. Explain will show the two fractions with a common denominator. Explain off will turn the explanation off, allowing the teacher or learner to demonstrate how to compare fractions.
You may copy the screen by pressing <Print Screen> on the keyboard. This copies the screen into Windows Clipboard™. The screen can then be pasted into Windows Paint™ or your favorite imaging program. Windows Paint™ will allow you to crop, print, or save the image.
Windows 7 users can use the Snipping Tool™ to capture any part of the screen you wish. These images can be edited and saved in PNG, GIF(recommended) or JPEG formats.