The idea, step by step
Equal means a fair share
A fraction names part of a whole. To make halves, split the whole into two equal parts. Each part must have the same amount. Two pieces with different sizes are not halves, even though there are two pieces.
Count the equal parts
Four equal parts are quarters. Eight equal parts are eighths. Count all the equal parts in the whole before naming one part. The pieces can have different positions; what matters is that each piece has the same amount.
A common trap
Calling any four pieces quarters.
Instead: Four pieces are quarters only when they are equal parts of the same whole.
See the thinking
Choose the fair quarters
Which strip is divided into quarters: A or B?
- Both strips have four pieces.
- Only A has four equal-sized pieces, so each piece in A is a quarter.
Name one part
A sandwich is cut into eight equal pieces. What is one piece called?
- The whole sandwich has eight equal parts.
- One of eight equal parts is one eighth.
Check your understanding
A whole is split into four equal parts. What is one part called?
Show answer
One quarter.
Quarter means one of four equal parts.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- A whole biscuit is split into two equal pieces. Name one piece.
- A paper strip is cut into eight equal pieces. Name one piece.
- Which strip shows quarters, A or B? Explain.
- How many equal halves make one whole?
- How many equal quarters make one whole?
- Sam cuts a cake into one large piece and one small piece. Are the pieces halves? Explain.
Read the worked solutions
- A whole biscuit is split into two equal pieces. Name one piece.
There are two equal parts.
One half. - A paper strip is cut into eight equal pieces. Name one piece.
There are eight equal parts.
One eighth. - Which strip shows quarters, A or B? Explain.
B has four pieces, but the pieces are not the same size.
A. Its four parts are equal. - How many equal halves make one whole?
A half is one of two equal parts.
2 halves. - How many equal quarters make one whole?
Four quarter-sized parts rebuild the whole.
4 quarters. - Sam cuts a cake into one large piece and one small piece. Are the pieces halves? Explain.
The whole must be split into two equal parts to make halves.
No. The two pieces are unequal.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Equal parts; repeated halving; fractions of shapes, objects and measures.
Official curriculum source ↗