Equivalent fractions

For grown-ups: this lesson in words

Years 3 to 6 · Maths

Equivalent fractions: I can find equivalent fractions, simplify them and put fractions in order.

1. Here is a circle cut into 2 equal parts.

   1 part is shaded: 1 out of 2 equal parts.

   We write it 1/2. The top counts the shaded parts, the bottom counts all the parts.

   Cut each part in half. Now 4 parts, 2 shaded: 2/4. The shaded amount has not changed.

   Picture: A circle cut into 2 equal parts, with 1 part shaded. It is labelled 1/2. Each part is then cut into 2, making 4 parts with 2 shaded: 2/4.

2. This bar shows 1/2.

   Below it, a bar the same size shows 2/4.

   The shaded parts line up. 1/2 and 2/4 are the same size.

   1/2 = 2/4

   Picture: A bar cut into 2 equal parts, with 1 part shaded. It is labelled 1/2. Below it, a bar cut into 4 equal parts with 2 parts shaded, labelled 2/4.

3. Here is 1/3: 1 shaded part out of 3.

   Cut every part into 2. Now there are 6 parts and 2 are shaded: 2/6.

   1 × 2 = 2 on the top. 3 × 2 = 6 on the bottom.

   1/3 = 2/6

   Picture: A bar cut into 3 equal parts, with 1 part shaded. It is labelled 1/3. Each part is then cut into 2, making 6 parts with 2 shaded: 2/6.

4. Your turn: The top bar shows 1/2. The bottom bar is cut into 6 equal parts, and 3 are shaded. Which fraction is equivalent to 1/2?

   Picture: A bar cut into 2 equal parts, with 1 part shaded. Below it, a bar cut into 6 equal parts with 3 parts shaded.

   Choose one:

   • 1/6
   • 2/3
   • 3/6

   Answer

   The answer: 3/6

   3 shaded parts out of 6: 3/6. It lines up with 1/2, so 1/2 = 3/6.

   Picture: A bar cut into 2 equal parts, with 1 part shaded. It is labelled 1/2. Each part is then cut into 3, making 6 parts with 3 shaded: 3/6.