Sort the Common Fractions String 1/3, 2/6, 4/12 in Ascending Order. Online Calculator

The operation of sorting fractions in ascending order:
1/3, 2/6, 4/12

Analyze the fractions to be compared and ordered, by category:

positive proper fractions: 1/3, 2/6, 4/12

Simplify the operation
Reduce (simplify) the fractions to their lowest terms equivalents:


The fraction: 1/3

1/3 is already reduced to the lowest terms.

The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:


  • 1 cannot be factored into other prime factors.
  • 3 is a prime number.
  • GCF (1; 3) = 1


The fraction: 2/6

  • The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
  • 2 is a prime number.
  • 6 = 2 × 3
  • Multiply all the common prime factors: if there are repeating prime factors we only take them once, and only the ones having the lowest exponent (the lowest powers).
  • GCF (2; 6) = 2

2/6 = (2 ÷ 2)/(6 ÷ 2) = 1/3


The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:


2/6 = 2/(2 × 3) = (2 ÷ 2)/((2 × 3) ÷ 2) = 1/3



The fraction: 4/12

  • 4 = 22
  • 12 = 22 × 3
  • GCF (4; 12) = 22 = 4

4/12 = (4 ÷ 4)/(12 ÷ 4) = 1/3


The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:


4/12 = 22/(22 × 3) = (22 ÷ 22)/((22 × 3) ÷ 22) = 1/3




::: The operation of comparing fractions :::
The final answer:

The fractions sorted in ascending order:
1/3 = 1/3 = 1/3

The initial fractions sorted in ascending order:
1/3 = 2/6 = 4/12

How are the numbers written: comma ',' used as a thousands separator; point '.' as a decimal separator; numbers rounded off to max. 12 decimals (if the case). Used symbols: '/' the fraction bar; ÷ dividing; × multiplying; + plus (adding); - minus (subtracting); = equal; ≈ approximately equal.

Compare and sort common fractions, online calculator:

Tutoring: Comparing ordinary fractions

How to compare two fractions?

1. Fractions that have different signs:

  • Any positive fraction is larger than any negative fraction:
  • ie: 4/25 > - 19/2

2. A proper and an improper fraction:

  • Any positive improper fraction is larger than any positive proper fraction:
  • ie: 44/25 > 1 > 19/200
  • Any negative improper fraction is smaller than any negative proper fraction:
  • ie: - 44/25 < -1 < - 19/200

3. Fractions that have both like numerators and denominators:

  • The fractions are equal:
  • ie: 89/50 = 89/50

4. Fractions that have unlike (different) numerators but like (equal) denominators.

  • Positive fractions: compare the numerators, the larger fraction is the one with the larger numerator:
  • ie: 24/25 > 19/25
  • Negative fractions: compare the numerators, the larger fraction is the one with the smaller numerator:
  • ie: - 19/25 < - 17/25

5. Fractions that have unlike (different) denominators but like (equal) numerators.

  • Positive fractions: compare the denominators, the larger fraction is the one with the smaller denominator:
  • ie: 24/25 > 24/26
  • Negative fractions: compare the denominators, the larger fraction is the one with the larger denominator:
  • ie: - 17/25 < - 17/29

6. Fractions that have different denominators and numerators (unlike denominators and numerators).

More on ordinary (common) fractions / theory: