Equivalent Fractions

Ages 8–11

Difficulty adapts to you

Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent fractions have the same value. Multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same non-zero number to make an equivalent fraction.

Your goals

✓You can find fractions that look different but are equal.
✓You can use equivalent fractions, simplest form correctly.
✓You can multiply or divide the numerator and denominator by the same non-zero number.

Words to know

equivalent fractions:: Fractions that have the same value.
simplest form:: A fraction whose numerator and denominator have no common factor greater than 1.

Examples

11/2 = 2/4 = 3/6 = 4/8.
22/3 = 4/6 = 6/9. Each pair names the same amount.

Check these

• Do not change only the numerator or only the denominator.
• Keep every number, symbol, label, and unit in its correct place.
• Show enough working to check how you reached your answer.

Helpful habits

• Read the whole question before choosing what to do.
• Show one clear step at a time and check each step.
• If you are stuck, draw a model, try smaller numbers, or revisit the example.

Now try your own

Create your own equivalent fractions example, solve it, and explain how you checked it.

Professor Wise Owl

Wisdom & Understanding

“Understanding "why" is more powerful than memorising "how".”