The idea in brief. Changing the number of equal parts does not change the fraction when both fraction numbers change together. Keep the same whole. Multiply or divide the numerator and denominator by the same number. In the lesson. In Primary 2, four equal parts give denominator four, and three shaded parts give numerator three. Today we learn about equivalent fractions. Equivalent fractions are the same part of one whole.
Lesson video, with the working
Equal parts and equivalent fractions
5 min 54 s
The film teaches 3 questions in turn. Each question shows first; its working is written as the film explains it.
How do you solve equivalent fractions questions in P3?
This page teaches equivalent fractions: different names for the same part of one whole.
What your child learns here
This page teaches equivalent fractions: different names for the same part of one whole. It covers the P3 outcomes on equivalent fractions and on writing an equivalent fraction when the denominator or the numerator is given.
See on a bar or a shape that 1/2, 2/4 and 4/8 cover the same amount of the same whole.
Make an equivalent fraction by multiplying the numerator and the denominator by the same number.
Go the other way by dividing both numbers by the same number.
Find a missing numerator or a missing denominator, as in 2/5 = ?/10.
Read equivalent fractions on a number line by counting equal intervals from 0.
Does the answer make sense?
When the question asks for a missing numerator or denominator, both numbers must grow, or shrink, by the same number of times, as in 1/2 and 3/6. On a bar or number line, your child should see equivalent fractions end at the same point, and the odd one out end elsewhere.
How to practise these questions
The Basic questions practise seeing equal parts and writing equivalent fractions from a picture. The Intermediate questions add finding a missing numerator or denominator by multiplying or dividing both. The Challenge questions ask your child to find several equivalent fractions or to check whether parts are truly equal. If an equivalent fraction question stalls, watch its solution film and try it again later from Revision. The multiple-choice questions ask which figure has a given fraction of its area shaded at Intermediate, and at Basic what fraction of a strip is not shaded or which fraction a point on a number line shows; each is solved in writing, without a film.
Questions parents ask
Are equivalent fractions in the Primary 3 syllabus? Yes. The MOE syllabus for Primary 3 lists equivalent fractions under Fractions, including writing the equivalent fraction of a fraction when the denominator or the numerator is given. The same idea is then used for simplest form, comparing fractions and adding related fractions in this chapter.
Should my P3 child memorise equivalent fractions or work them out? Working them out is more reliable. A child who multiplies or divides the numerator and denominator by the same number can find any pair, including ones never seen before. A few familiar pairs, such as 1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8, are still handy as quick checks.
Does my child need to draw a picture for equivalent fractions? Not every time. The lesson on this page uses a bar to show why the fraction stays the same, and a quick sketch helps when a question feels new. Once the multiply-both idea is secure, the written line is enough.
