Select one or more fraction strips whose whole units are the same size. For example, the whole unit might be a rectangle that measures 4 inches by 8 inches. You could divide one rectangle into eighths and the other into fourths.
Lay out the first set of fraction strips side by side. In this example, you could lay out four 1/8 strips from the first rectangle.
Lay the next set of fraction strips directly underneath or above the first set. Place the first strip level with the starting point for the previous set of strips. In this example, you could lay out two 1/4 strips from the second rectangle.
Compare the two sets of strips. If they are the same size, then the fractions are equal. If one set is larger than the other, then the fractions are not equal.