RemeliaMaths Year 3 Fractions, decimals & %
Year 3 equivalent fractions
The objective: Recognise and show, using diagrams, equivalent fractions with small denominators.
The explanation, example and questions are the ones Remelia uses in the app; the questions are not taken from any test paper.
The idea
Equivalent fractions look different but are the same amount. 1/2 and 2/4 and 3/6 are all the same size.
How to do it
- Multiply the top and the bottom by the same number to make an equivalent fraction.
- Divide the top and the bottom by the same number to simplify one.
- Whatever you do to one, do to the other.
A worked example
1/3 = 2/6 because both numbers were multiplied by 2.
Watch for
Changing only the bottom number. Doubling the denominator alone halves the fraction. It does not keep it the same.
Try four questions
-
What fraction of the circle is shaded?
Write it as a fraction with a denominator of 5.
Show the answer to question 1
Answer: 4/5
Why:
8 of the 10 equal parts are shaded: 8/10.
10 ÷ 5 = 2, so every 2 parts make 1/5. 8 ÷ 2 = 4.
So 8/10 = 4/5.
-
Three of these are equal to 1/4. Which one is not?
- A 3/12
- B 2/8
- C 4/12
- D 4/16
Show the answer to question 2
Answer: C · 4/12
Why:
Multiply the top and bottom of 1/4 by the same number and it stays the same: 4/16, 2/8, 3/12. 4/12 is not: its top was multiplied by 4 and its bottom by 3.
-
Fill in the missing number:
1/3 = ?/9
Show the answer to question 3
Answer: 3
Why:
The denominator was multiplied by 3 (3 → 9), so the numerator must be too: 1 × 3 = 3.
-
Which of these is the same as 1/3?
- A 5/7
- B 4/12
- C 4/13
- D 1/12
Show the answer to question 4
Answer: B · 4/12
Why:
1/3 = 4/12: both parts multiplied by 4. Adding the same number to top and bottom does not work.
Answers
- 1. 4/5
- 2. C · 4/12
- 3. 3
- 4. B · 4/12
The mistakes Remelia names
When a wrong answer to a question like these matches one of these mistakes, the app says what the child seems to have done before they try again.
- Question 1, the answer 8/2: It looks as if you put the parts not shaded as the denominator. The denominator is how many equal parts there are altogether; the numerator is how many are shaded.
- Question 1, the answer 1/5: That is the fraction not shaded. The numerator counts the shaded parts.