Equivalent Fractions
This topic covers 4 learning steps, guiding your child from the basics through to confident problem-solving. Each step includes a worked example and adaptive practice questions.
What Your Child Will Learn
- What Are Equivalent Fractions?
Understand that the same amount can be shown with different fractions - Multiply to Find Equivalents
Use multiplication to generate equivalent fractions - Simplify Fractions
Divide top and bottom by common factors to simplify - Challenge — Missing Numerators & Denominators
Find missing values in equivalent fraction pairs
Before This Topic
Your child should be comfortable with:
Worked Example
Chef Whiskers says:
Find a fraction equivalent to 1/3 with denominator 6.
- We need the bottom to go from 3 to 6. That means multiply by 2.
- Multiply top and bottom by 2: (1 x 2) / (3 x 2) = 2/6.
- 1/3 = 2/6. They are equivalent!
Answer: 2/6
Common Mistakes
- Thinking equivalent fractions must look the same (e.g. not believing that 1/2 and 3/6 are equal because the numbers are different)
Equivalent fractions have different numbers but represent the same amount. Fold a paper strip in half and mark 1/2, then fold the same strip into sixths and show that 3/6 covers the same length. - Adding or subtracting the same number to top and bottom instead of multiplying or dividing (e.g. saying 1/3 = 2/4 because 1+1=2 and 3+1=4)
You must multiply (or divide) both the numerator AND denominator by the SAME number. 1/3 = 2/6 because 1×2=2 and 3×2=6. Use fraction walls to verify visually.
Tips for Parents
- Use a fraction wall — draw strips for halves, thirds, quarters, sixths, eighths and line them up. Your child can see which fractions are the same size.
- Cut two identical sheets of paper: fold one in half and shade 1/2. Fold the other into quarters and shade 2/4. Lay them on top of each other — they match perfectly.
- At snack time, cut one sandwich in half and another into quarters. Show that 1/2 is the same amount as 2/4.
- Play "Fraction Snap" — make cards with fractions and match equivalent pairs (1/2 with 2/4, 1/3 with 2/6, etc.).
Key Words
- Equivalent — Equal in value — 1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent because they represent the same amount.
- Simplify — Reduce a fraction to its simplest form by dividing top and bottom by the same number — 4/8 simplifies to 1/2.
- Fraction wall — A diagram showing fraction strips of different sizes lined up to compare them.
- Common factor — A number that divides evenly into both the numerator and denominator — used to simplify fractions.
Where This Fits
Before this topic: Children should be confident with basic fractions, including naming fractions, comparing unit fractions, and adding fractions with the same denominator.
After this topic: Understanding equivalent fractions is essential for adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators in Year 5, and for working with decimals and percentages.
How MathCraft Teaches This
In MathCraft, Equivalent Fractions is taught through the Number & Fractions adventure track. Your child follows guided lessons with friendly characters, works through examples step by step, then practises with questions that adapt to their level.
The adaptive engine tracks mastery across all 4 steps, revisiting concepts your child finds tricky and advancing when they're ready. Parents can see detailed progress in the Parent Dashboard.
Practise Equivalent Fractions with MathCraft
Step-by-step lessons, worked examples, and adaptive practice — all wrapped in an adventure game your child will love.
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