Fractions of a group of objects
Recognise, find, and write fractions of a discrete set of objects: unit fractions and non-unit fractions with small denominators
What a learner can do afterwards
- Find 1/4 of 12 objects by dividing into 4 equal groups
- Find 3/4 of 12 objects
- Write the fraction of a set that is shaded or selected
1 · Read
You already know how to share things into equal groups. Now you will use that skill on a group of real objects, like stars or apples. First, split the group into equal parts. The bottom number of the fraction tells you how many equal groups to make. The top number tells you how many of those groups to take.
Mia has 12 apples. She wants to find 3/4 of them. She splits the apples into 4 equal groups of 3. Then she takes 3 of the 4 groups: 3 + 3 + 3 = 9. So 3/4 of 12 apples is 9 apples.
Always check the groups are the same size before you count them. If the groups are not equal, the fraction will be wrong.
To find a fraction of a group, split it into equal groups first, then count how many groups you need.
More to read
Partition a whole into fractional units by folding fraction strips
A unit fraction is one single slice of a fairly shared whole. Fold a strip into 4 equal rooms and one room is 1/4. The bottom number counts the rooms, the top number counts your rooms: 1. Fold strips into halves, thirds and quarters and label each single room.
Identify and represent a whole as two parts - a unit fraction and a non-unit fraction
Sharing 12 grapes among 4 friends is unit fractions at lunch. Deal the grapes round by round until each friend guards 3 grapes. Each friend holds 1/4 of the pile, and 3 grapes prove it. Deal real counters to taste the fair shares.
Equal groups of unit fractions
Stacking unit fractions builds bigger fractions slice by slice. Three quarters is three 1/4 slices stacked: 1/4 plus 1/4 plus 1/4. Of 12 marbles, each quarter weighs 3, so three quarters weigh 9. Stack paper quarters to feel the tower grow.
Explore more
2 · Watch
Take it off screen
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
17 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.