Fractions, Decimals & Percentages Conversions
This topic covers 5 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
- Fractions to Decimals
Convert fractions to decimal form - Decimals to Percentages
Convert decimals to percentage form - Percentages to Fractions
Convert percentages back to fractions - All Three Conversions
Fluently convert between all three forms - Challenge — FDP Comparison Problems
Compare values in different forms
Before This Topic
Your child should be comfortable with:
- Decimals (Year 5)
- Equivalent Fractions (Year 4)
- Percentages of an Amount (Year 5)
Common Mistakes
- Thinking that 1/3 = 0.3 (confusing one third with three tenths)
1/3 = 0.333... (a recurring decimal), not 0.3. Meanwhile, 0.3 = 3/10. To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator: 1 ÷ 3 = 0.333... - Not knowing the key fraction-decimal-percentage equivalents by heart
Memorise the essential ones: 1/2 = 0.5 = 50%, 1/4 = 0.25 = 25%, 3/4 = 0.75 = 75%, 1/5 = 0.2 = 20%, 1/10 = 0.1 = 10%. These are used constantly.
Tips for Parents
- Make a reference card with the key conversions (1/2, 1/4, 3/4, 1/5, 1/10, 1/3, 2/3) and keep it visible during homework.
- Play "FDP Snap" — make cards with fractions, decimals, and percentages that are equivalent. Match the trio to win.
- Use a calculator to convert: "What is 3 ÷ 8? That gives 0.375. So 3/8 = 0.375 = 37.5%." Show the method.
- Ask quick-fire questions: "What is 3/4 as a decimal? What is 40% as a fraction? What is 0.2 as a percentage?"
Key Words
- Fraction — A part of a whole written as one number over another — like 3/4.
- Decimal — A number with a decimal point — like 0.75.
- Percentage — A number out of 100 — like 75%.
- Equivalent — Having the same value in different forms — 1/2, 0.5, and 50% are all equivalent.
- Convert — Change from one form to another — turn 3/4 into 0.75 or 75%.
- Recurring decimal — A decimal that repeats forever — 1/3 = 0.333... (the 3 repeats).
Where This Fits
Before this topic: Children should understand fractions, decimals, and percentages individually, and know key equivalences like 1/2 = 0.5 = 50%.
After this topic: Fluent FDP conversion is essential for all proportion work, statistics, probability, and real-world applications throughout secondary school.
How MathCraft Teaches This
In MathCraft, Fractions, Decimals & Percentages Conversions is taught through the Money, Data & Measure 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 5 steps, revisiting concepts your child finds tricky and advancing when they're ready. Parents can see detailed progress in the Parent Dashboard.
Practise Fractions, Decimals & Percentages Conversions 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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