Equivalent fractions
Recognise and show, using diagrams, equivalent fractions with small denominators
What a learner can do afterwards
- Show that 1/2 = 2/4 using a diagram of equal parts
- Use a fraction wall or bar model to find equivalent fractions
- Explain why two fractions are equivalent by comparing the shaded areas
The lesson
Equivalent fractions are fractions that look different but stand for the same amount. If you split a shape into more equal parts and shade more of them to match, the amount you shaded stays the same.
Mia has a chocolate bar split into 2 equal parts and eats 1 part. Zara has the same size bar split into 4 equal parts and eats 2 parts. The bars look different, but both girls ate the same amount.
To check if two fractions are equivalent, do not just look at the numbers. Compare how much space is shaded. If the shaded space is the same size, the fractions are equivalent.
Same amount, more parts: that is what makes two fractions equivalent.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.