What Are Equivalent Fractions?

Hello, Year 5! Today, we’re going to learn about equivalent fractions. This is a really cool concept in maths. Equivalent fractions are fractions that look different but actually represent the same amount or value.

Understanding Fractions

First, let’s quickly remember what a fraction is. A fraction is made up of two parts:

  • The numerator (the top number) tells us how many parts we have.
  • The denominator (the bottom number) tells us how many equal parts something is divided into.

For example, in the fraction \frac{1}{2}

, the numerator is 1, and the denominator is 2.

Examples of Equivalent Fractions

Now, let’s see some equivalent fractions:

  • \frac{1}{2}
    is the same as \frac{2}{4}
    .
  • \frac{3}{6}
    is the same as \frac{1}{2}
    .
  • \frac{4}{8}
    is the same as \frac{1}{2}
    .

Even though the numbers are different, they all represent the same part of a whole.

How to Find Equivalent Fractions

  1. Multiplying: You can create equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator and the denominator by the same number. For example:
    • If we take \frac{1}{3}
      and multiply both the top and bottom by 2, we get:\frac{1 \times 2}{3 \times 2} = \frac{2}{6}
      .
  2. Dividing: You can also find equivalent fractions by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by the same number. For example:
    • From \frac{4}{8}
      , if we divide both by 4, we get:\frac{4 \div 4}{8 \div 4} = \frac{1}{2}
      .

Key Rules to Remember

  • Same Value: Equivalent fractions represent the same value, just expressed in different numbers.
  • Multiplying or Dividing: You can always get equivalent fractions by multiplying or dividing both parts of the fraction by the same number.

Tips and Tricks

  • Visual Aids: Draw pie charts or bars to see how equivalent fractions look the same when divided.
  • Practice: The more you practice finding equivalent fractions, the easier it will become!

Questions on Equivalent Fractions

Easy Level Questions

  1. What is \frac{1}{2}
    equivalent to?
  2. Is \frac{2}{4}
    equivalent to \frac{1}{2}
    ? (Yes/No)
  3. Find an equivalent fraction for \frac{3}{9}
    .
  4. What is \frac{4}{8}
    equivalent to?
  5. Is \frac{5}{10}
    equivalent to \frac{1}{2}
    ? (Yes/No)
  6. Find an equivalent fraction for \frac{2}{3}
    .
  7. What is \frac{6}{12}
    equivalent to?
  8. Is \frac{1}{4}
    equivalent to \frac{2}{8}
    ? (Yes/No)
  9. Find an equivalent fraction for \frac{1}{5}
    .
  10. What is \frac{3}{6}
    equivalent to?

Medium Level Questions

  1. Find two equivalent fractions for \frac{2}{5}
    .
  2. What is \frac{5}{15}
    equivalent to?
  3. Is \frac{6}{18}
    equivalent to \frac{1}{3}
    ? (Yes/No)
  4. Find an equivalent fraction for \frac{4}{10}
    .
  5. Create an equivalent fraction for \frac{7}{14}
    .
  6. What is \frac{8}{24}
    equivalent to?
  7. If \frac{3}{4}
    is reduced, what do you get?
  8. What is \frac{9}{27}
    equivalent to?
  9. Is \frac{10}{20}
    equivalent to \frac{1}{2}
    ? (Yes/No)
  10. Find an equivalent fraction for \frac{5}{25}
    .

Hard Level Questions

  1. If \frac{12}{36}
    is simplified, what do you get?
  2. Find three equivalent fractions for \frac{1}{6}
    .
  3. Is \frac{15}{45}
    equivalent to \frac{1}{3}
    ? (Yes/No)
  4. Create an equivalent fraction for \frac{2}{7}
    .
  5. What is \frac{16}{64}
    equivalent to?
  6. Find an equivalent fraction for \frac{9}{30}
    .
  7. If \frac{8}{32}
    is simplified, what do you get?
  8. Is \frac{4}{6}
    equivalent to \frac{2}{3}
    ? (Yes/No)
  9. Find an equivalent fraction for \frac{10}{25}
    .
  10. What is \frac{14}{42}
    equivalent to?

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

  1. \frac{2}{4}
  2. Yes
  3. \frac{1}{3}
  4. \frac{1}{2}
  5. Yes
  6. \frac{4}{6}
  7. \frac{1}{2}
  8. Yes
  9. \frac{2}{10}
  10. \frac{1}{2}

Medium Level Answers

  1. \frac{4}{10}
    , \frac{6}{15}
  2. \frac{1}{3}
  3. Yes
  4. \frac{2}{5}
  5. \frac{1}{2}
  6. \frac{1}{3}
  7. \frac{3}{4}
  8. \frac{1}{3}
  9. Yes
  10. \frac{1}{5}

Hard Level Answers

  1. \frac{1}{3}
  2. \frac{2}{12}
    , \frac{3}{18}
    , \frac{4}{24}
  3. Yes
  4. \frac{4}{14}
  5. \frac{1}{4}
  6. \frac{3}{10}
  7. \frac{1}{4}
  8. Yes
  9. \frac{2}{5}
  10. \frac{1}{3}

I hope this helps you understand equivalent fractions better! Keep practising, and you will get even better!