The idea, step by step
First choose the whole
The whole might be a shape, a bag of counters or a ribbon. One quarter means one of four equal parts of that whole. In the picture, the entire rectangle is the whole, not just the coloured part.
Share objects or a length
For one quarter of 12 counters, share all 12 counters into four equal groups. Each group contains 3, so one quarter is 3 counters. A 16 cm ribbon split into four equal lengths has 4 cm in each length. Keep the unit in your answer.
A common trap
Giving the number of groups instead of the amount in one group.
Instead: The fraction tells how many equal groups to make. Then count the objects or measure the length in one group.
See the thinking
A fraction of a collection
Find one half of 10 strawberries.
- Share 10 strawberries equally between two plates.
- Each plate receives 5; 5 + 5 = 10.
A fraction of a length
A 24 cm ribbon is cut into eight equal pieces. How long is one piece?
- Share the length into eight equal parts.
- Eight lengths of 3 cm make 24 cm: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 24.
Check your understanding
Find one quarter of 8 counters.
Show answer
2 counters.
Share 8 counters equally into four groups: 2 in each.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Find one half of 12 buttons.
- Find one quarter of 16 beads.
- Find one eighth of 8 blocks.
- A 12 cm strip is cut into four equal parts. How long is each part?
- Name the shaded fraction of this whole rectangle.
- Nia has 16 counters. Half are red. How many are red, and how many are not red?
Read the worked solutions
- Find one half of 12 buttons.
Two equal groups of 6 make 12.
6 buttons. - Find one quarter of 16 beads.
Four equal groups of 4 make 16.
4 beads. - Find one eighth of 8 blocks.
Eight equal groups contain one block each.
1 block. - A 12 cm strip is cut into four equal parts. How long is each part?
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 cm.
3 cm. - Name the shaded fraction of this whole rectangle.
One of the four equal parts is shaded.
One quarter. - Nia has 16 counters. Half are red. How many are red, and how many are not red?
A half is one of two equal shares; 8 + 8 = 16.
8 red and 8 not red.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Equal parts; repeated halving; fractions of shapes, objects and measures.
Official curriculum source ↗