Introduction to Fractions
Explore halves, thirds and quarters using pictures, shapes and real-life examples!
What Is a Fraction?
A fraction is a part of a whole. When we cut something into equal pieces, each piece is a fraction.
1⁄2
One half
Top number = Numerator
How many parts we have
Bottom number = Denominator
How many equal parts the whole is cut into
Halves, Thirds & Quarters
1⁄2
One Half
Cut into 2 equal parts. 1 is shaded.
1⁄3
One Third
Cut into 3 equal parts. 1 is shaded.
1⁄4
One Quarter
Cut into 4 equal parts. 1 is shaded.
💡 Key Idea
The more parts you cut something into, the smaller each part is. So 1⁄4 is smaller than 1⁄2!
Fractions of Amounts
We can also find a fraction of a number. To find a fraction of an amount, divide by the denominator.
Find 1⁄2 of 12
12 ÷ 2 = 6. Half of 12 is 6.
Find 1⁄3 of 15
15 ÷ 3 = 5. One third of 15 is 5.
Find 1⁄4 of 20
20 ÷ 4 = 5. One quarter of 20 is 5.
Fractions in Everyday Life
Pizza
Cut into 4 slices = each slice is 1⁄4
Football
Half time = 1⁄2 of the game
Birthday cake
Shared among 3 people = each gets 1⁄3
Money
50 cents is 1⁄2 of a dollar
Knowledge Check
Choose the correct answer for each question. Questions get harder as you go!
1. What does the bottom number, or denominator, in a fraction tell you?
2. A pizza is cut into 2 equal pieces. You eat 1 piece. What fraction did you eat?
3. Which fraction is bigger: 1⁄2 or 1⁄4?
4. What is 1⁄2 of 16?
5. What is 1⁄4 of 20?
6. A shape is divided into 3 equal parts and 2 are shaded. What fraction is shaded?
7. What is 1⁄3 of 18?
8. What is 3⁄4 of 24?
9. Put these fractions in order from smallest to biggest: 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 1⁄3
10. Tom has 32 marbles. He gives 1⁄4 to his sister and 1⁄2 to his brother. How many does he keep?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●A fraction shows a part of a whole.
- ●The numerator (top) tells how many parts we have. The denominator (bottom) tells the total equal parts.
- ●The bigger the denominator, the smaller each part.
- ●To find a fraction of an amount, divide by the denominator.