- Maths
- Classes 3-5
- 3 min read
Fractions: parts of a whole
Learn what numerators and denominators mean, compare fractions, find equal fractions and take fractions of a group.
Let us begin
The big idea
If you cut a roti into 4 equal pieces and eat 1 piece, you have eaten a fraction of it. Fractions help us talk about parts of a whole.
A fraction shows equal parts of a whole. The bottom number is the denominator. It tells how many equal parts the whole is cut into. The top number is the numerator. It tells how many parts we take.
In 3/4, the whole is cut into 4 equal parts and we take 3 of them. The parts must be equal in size.
When the denominators are the same, the bigger numerator means the bigger fraction. 4/5 is bigger than 2/5.
When the numerators are the same, the bigger denominator means smaller pieces. So 1/4 is smaller than 1/2.
Different fractions can show the same amount. 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6. These are called equivalent fractions. We get them by multiplying the top and bottom by the same number.
Worked examples
See how it works
A paratha cut into 4
A paratha is cut into 4 equal pieces. Ravi eats 3 pieces. He ate 3/4 of it. 1/4 is left because 3/4 + 1/4 = 4/4, which is the whole.
Comparing fractions
Compare 2/5 and 4/5. Both have the same denominator, 5. The bigger numerator is 4, so 4/5 is greater than 2/5.
Equivalent fractions
Multiply the top and bottom of 1/2 by 2: 1 × 2 = 2 and 2 × 2 = 4. So 1/2 = 2/4. Multiply by 3: 1/2 = 3/6.
Fraction of a group: 3/4 of 12 mangoes
First find 1/4 of 12. 12 ÷ 4 = 3. Then 3/4 is 3 × 3 = 9. So 3/4 of 12 mangoes is 9 mangoes.
Try it at home
Fold a paper into fractions
You will need
- Two or three sheets of paper
- Crayons or a pencil
What to do
- Fold the first sheet into two equal halves and open it. Shade one half. Write 1/2.
- Take a new sheet. Fold it in half and then in half again. Open it. You have 4 equal parts. Shade 1 part. Write 1/4.
- On a third sheet folded into 4, shade 3 parts and write 3/4.
- Compare your sheets. Which shaded part is biggest?
- Try folding a sheet into 8 equal parts.
Ask a grown-up: An adult can help make the folds neat so the parts are really equal.
Practice sheet
Check what you learned
Practice sheet: Fractions: parts of a whole (Classes 3-5, Maths)
- In the fraction 3/8, which number is the numerator?
- A paratha is cut into 8 equal pieces. Ravi eats 3. What fraction did he eat?
- What fraction of that paratha is left?
- Which is bigger, 3/7 or 5/7?
- Fill in the blank: 1/2 = ___/4.
- Which is smaller, 1/2 or 1/4?
- What is 1/3 of 12?
- What is 3/5 of 20?
- Write 3/4 in words.
- Put in order from smallest to biggest: 1/2, 1/8, 1/4.
Answer key
Answers: Fractions: parts of a whole
- 3 (the denominator is 8).
- 3/8
- 5/8 (8/8 − 3/8).
- 5/7
- 2 (1/2 = 2/4).
- 1/4. When the whole is cut into more parts, each part is smaller.
- 4 (12 ÷ 3).
- 12 (20 ÷ 5 = 4, then 4 × 3 = 12).
- Three quarters (or three-fourths).
- 1/8, 1/4, 1/2.