Learning Objectives
- Understand fractions as equal parts of a whole
- Learn about halves (1/2), quarters (1/4), and three-quarters (3/4)
- Identify fractions in everyday life
- Compare simple fractions
Key Concepts
What is a Fraction?
A fraction is a part of a whole. When you cut a roti into 2 equal pieces, each piece is one-half (1/2). When you cut it into 4 equal pieces, each piece is one-quarter (1/4). The top number tells how many parts you have. The bottom number tells how many equal parts the whole is divided into.
Halves
When something is divided into 2 equal parts, each part is called a half. We write it as 1/2. Two halves make a whole: 1/2 + 1/2 = 1. If you share a chocolate bar equally with your friend, each of you gets half (1/2) of the bar.
Quarters
When something is divided into 4 equal parts, each part is called a quarter. We write it as 1/4. Four quarters make a whole: 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 1. Two quarters equal one half: 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2. Three quarters is written as 3/4.
Fractions in Daily Life
We use fractions every day! When we say "half an hour", we mean 30 minutes (half of 60). A "quarter of an hour" is 15 minutes. When a pizza is cut into 4 slices, each slice is 1/4 of the pizza. If you eat 2 slices, you have eaten 2/4 or 1/2 of the pizza.
Important Terms
- Fraction: A part of a whole, written as one number over another
- Half (1/2): One of two equal parts
- Quarter (1/4): One of four equal parts
- Three-quarters (3/4): Three of four equal parts
- Numerator: The top number in a fraction (how many parts you have)
- Denominator: The bottom number in a fraction (how many equal parts in the whole)
Quick Revision
- A fraction shows equal parts of a whole
- 1/2 means 1 out of 2 equal parts (half)
- 1/4 means 1 out of 4 equal parts (quarter)
- 2 halves = 1 whole, 4 quarters = 1 whole
- 2 quarters = 1 half (2/4 = 1/2)
- Half an hour = 30 minutes, Quarter hour = 15 minutes