The idea, step by step
Count the parts chosen
Two one-fifths make two fifths. Three one-fifths make three fifths. The pieces still have the size one fifth, so the denominator stays 5.
The top number, or numerator, counts how many equal parts are chosen. In , 3 parts are chosen out of the 5 that make the whole.
Build and check a fraction
To show four tenths, split one whole into 10 equal parts and choose 4. Count the chosen parts and all the parts separately.
You can check by counting on: one tenth, two tenths, three tenths, four tenths. When the top and bottom numbers match, all parts have been chosen and you have one whole.
A common trap
Three quarters means draw 3 equal parts and colour 4.
Instead: The denominator gives all the equal parts. The numerator tells how many of them to choose.
See the thinking
Join quarters
Three pieces are each one quarter of the same strip. What fraction do they make together?
- Each piece is one quarter, so 4 pieces would make the whole.
- There are 3 pieces, so the total is 3 quarters.
Shade a named fraction
How can you show two thirds on a blank strip?
- Divide the strip into 3 equal parts.
- Shade 2 of those parts, leaving 1 unshaded.
Check your understanding
A strip has 10 equal parts and 6 are coloured. Write the coloured fraction.
Show answer
.
Six parts are chosen; ten equal parts make the whole.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Two one-fifths are joined. What fraction is this?
- Write the coloured fraction.
- How many one-tenths are in ?
- Describe how to draw of one rectangle.
- What fraction is 5 parts when each part is one fifth?
- Mia colours 2 quarters. Tom colours 3 quarters of an equal-sized strip. Who colours more, and by how much?
Read the worked solutions
- Two one-fifths are joined. What fraction is this?
There are 2 equal parts, each one fifth.
. - Write the coloured fraction.
Three out of 4 equal parts are coloured.
. - How many one-tenths are in ?
The numerator 7 counts the one-tenth parts.
7. - Describe how to draw of one rectangle.
The denominator is 3; the numerator is 2.
Split a rectangle into 3 equal parts and shade 2. - What fraction is 5 parts when each part is one fifth?
Five one-fifths fill all 5 parts of the whole.
, or one whole. - Mia colours 2 quarters. Tom colours 3 quarters of an equal-sized strip. Who colours more, and by how much?
Three quarters is one more quarter than two quarters.
Tom, by one quarter.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Unit fractions; halves/thirds/quarters/fifths/tenths; multiples; completing a whole.
Official curriculum source ↗