🔢 Maths

Equivalent Fractions

Ages 9–11

You will learn

Find equivalent fractions by multiplying or dividing the top and bottom numbers by the same number.

Before you start

What a fraction is (like 1/2 and 1/4), and times tables up to 10 × 10.

Quick answer

Equivalent fractions are fractions that are worth the same amount, like 1/2 and 2/4. To make one, multiply (or divide) the top number and the bottom number by the same number.

Let’s learn

Equivalent means worth the same. Equivalent fractions look different, but they are the same amount.

Example

🟦🟦⬜⬜ — 2 out of 4 parts are shaded: 2/4 🟦⬜ — 1 out of 2 parts is shaded: 1/2

The same amount is shaded. So 1/2 = 2/4.

How to make equivalent fractions

Multiply the top number and the bottom number by the same number.

  • 1/2 → × 3 → 3/6
  • 2/3 → × 2 → 4/6

Simplifying

You can also divide the top and bottom by the same number. This makes the fraction simpler.

  • 6/9 → ÷ 3 → 2/3

A fraction is in its simplest form when no number bigger than 1 divides into both the top and bottom.

Check what you know

Choose an answer, then press Check. You can try again if you need to.

  1. 1 Which fraction is equivalent to 1/2?
  2. 2 1/3 is equivalent to ?/6. What is the missing number?
  3. 3 Which fraction is equivalent to 3/4?
  4. 4 Write 4/8 in its simplest form.
  5. 5 Is 2/5 equivalent to 4/10?
  6. 6 How do you make an equivalent fraction?

Try this next

Fold a strip of paper in half, then in quarters, then in eighths. Shade half of it. How many quarters is that? How many eighths?