Year 6 Maths: Fraction Patterns

Introduction to Fraction Patterns

Hello Year 6! Today, we are going to explore something really interesting: fraction patterns. Fractions are parts of a whole, and sometimes they can create beautiful patterns. Understanding these patterns will help you with adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. Let’s dive in!

What Are Fraction Patterns?

Definition

A fraction pattern is a sequence where fractions follow a specific rule or trend. This could mean that the numerators (top numbers) or denominators (bottom numbers) are changing in a regular way.

Examples of Fraction Patterns

1. Increasing by a constant fraction:
   • Start with $$\frac{1}{2}$$
   • Next is $$\frac{2}{4}$$ (which is also $$\frac{1}{2}$$ )
   • Then $$\frac{3}{6}$$ (still $$\frac{1}{2}$$ )
   • Finally, $$\frac{4}{8}$$ (also $$\frac{1}{2}$$ )
   Here, we see that all the fractions are equal to $$\frac{1}{2}$$ !
2. Halving fractions:
   • Start with $$\frac{1}{4}$$
   • Then $$\frac{1}{8}$$
   • Next is $$\frac{1}{16}$$
   • Finally, $$\frac{1}{32}$$
   Each fraction is half of the previous one!

Key Rules for Working with Fraction Patterns

1. Finding Common Denominators: When comparing fractions, it helps to have the same denominator. For example, to add $$\frac{1}{3}$$ and $$\frac{1}{6}$$ , convert $$\frac{1}{3}$$ to $$\frac{2}{6}$$ so you can add them easily.
2. Simplifying Fractions: Always try to simplify fractions if possible. For example, $$\frac{4}{8}$$ can be simplified to $$\frac{1}{2}$$ .
3. Multiplying Fractions: When you multiply fractions, multiply the numerators and the denominators separately: $$\frac{a}{b} \times \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a \times c}{b \times d}$$
4. Dividing Fractions: To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal (flip it): $$\frac{a}{b} \div \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a}{b} \times \frac{d}{c}$$

Tips and Tricks

• Visual Aids: Use pie charts or blocks to visualise fractions. This can help you see the patterns better.
• Number Lines: Draw a number line to place fractions on it. This will help you understand their value and see patterns more clearly.
• Practice: The more you work with fractions, the easier it will become to recognise patterns.

Questions to Practice

Easy Level Questions

1. What is $$\frac{1}{2}$$ + $$\frac{1}{2}$$ ?
2. What is $$\frac{1}{3}$$ + $$\frac{1}{3}$$ ?
3. Write the next fraction: $$\frac{1}{4}, \frac{2}{4}, \frac{3}{4}, ___$.
4. What is $$\frac{3}{6}$$ simplified?
5. What is $$\frac{2}{4}$$ + $$\frac{1}{4}$$ ?
6. Which is bigger: $$\frac{1}{2}$$ or $$\frac{1}{3}$$ ?
7. Write the fraction that comes after $$\frac{1}{5}$$ in the pattern: $$\frac{1}{5}, \frac{2}{5}, ___$.
8. What is $$\frac{4}{8}$$ simplified?
9. What is $$\frac{1}{10}$$ + $$\frac{1}{10}$$ ?
10. Identify the pattern: $$\frac{1}{2}, \frac{2}{2}, \frac{3}{2}, ___$.

Medium Level Questions

1. What is $$\frac{1}{3}$$ + $$\frac{1}{6}$$ ?
2. Write the next three fractions in the pattern: $$\frac{1}{2}, \frac{2}{4}, \frac{3}{6}, ___$.
3. Simplify $$\frac{6}{9}$$ .
4. What is $$\frac{2}{3}$$ – $$\frac{1}{3}$$ ?
5. Write the fraction that comes after $$\frac{3}{8}$$ in the pattern: $$\frac{1}{8}, \frac{2}{8}, \frac{3}{8}, ___$.
6. Which is smaller: $$\frac{3}{4}$$ or $$\frac{2}{3}$$ ?
7. Multiply: $$\frac{2}{3}$$ × $$\frac{3}{4}$$ .
8. Divide: $$\frac{3}{4}$$ ÷ $$\frac{1}{2}$$ .
9. Write the next fraction in the pattern: $$\frac{1}{6}, \frac{2}{6}, \frac{3}{6}, ___$.
10. What is $$\frac{1}{2}$$ + $$\frac{1}{4}$$ ?

Hard Level Questions

1. What is $$\frac{5}{6}$$ – $$\frac{1}{3}$$ ?
2. Write the next two fractions in the pattern: $$\frac{1}{4}, \frac{2}{4}, \frac{3}{4}, ___$.
3. Simplify $$\frac{12}{16}$$ .
4. Find $$\frac{2}{5}$$ + $$\frac{3}{10}$$ .
5. Which is larger: $$\frac{4}{5}$$ or $$\frac{3}{4}$$ ?
6. Multiply: $$\frac{5}{8}$$ × $$\frac{2}{3}$$ .
7. Divide: $$\frac{7}{10}$$ ÷ $$\frac{1}{5}$$ .
8. Write the next three fractions in the pattern: $$\frac{1}{2}, \frac{2}{5}, \frac{3}{8}, ___$.
9. What is $$\frac{3}{4}$$ – $$\frac{1}{2}$$ ?
10. Find the sum of $$\frac{1}{6}$$ + $$\frac{1}{3}$$ + $$\frac{1}{2}$$ .

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

1. $$\frac{2}{2}$$ (or 1)
2. $$\frac{2}{3}$$
3. $$\frac{4}{4}$$ (or 1)
4. $$\frac{1}{2}$$
5. $$\frac{3}{4}$$
6. $$\frac{1}{2}$$ is bigger.
7. $$\frac{4}{5}$$
8. $$\frac{1}{2}$$
9. $$\frac{2}{10}$$ (or $$\frac{1}{5}$$ )
10. $$\frac{1}{2}$$

Medium Level Answers

1. $$\frac{1}{2}$$
2. $$\frac{4}{6}, \frac{5}{6}, \frac{6}{6}$$
3. $$\frac{2}{3}$$
4. $$\frac{1}{3}$$
5. $$\frac{4}{8}$$
6. $$\frac{3}{4}$$ is bigger.
7. $$\frac{1}{2}$$
8. $$\frac{3}{2}$$
9. $$\frac{4}{8}$$ (or $$\frac{1}{2}$$ )
10. $$\frac{3}{4}$$

Hard Level Answers

1. $$\frac{1}{2}$$
2. $$\frac{4}{4}, \frac{5}{4}$$
3. $$\frac{3}{4}$$
4. $$\frac{7}{10}$$
5. $$\frac{4}{5}$$ is larger.
6. $$\frac{5}{12}$$
7. $$\frac{7}{2}$$ (or 3.5)
8. $$\frac{4}{10}, \frac{5}{10}, \frac{6}{10}$$
9. $$\frac{1}{4}$$
10. $$\frac{11}{12}$$

Great job today, everyone! Keep practicing fractions and look for patterns in your everyday life!