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Introduction

In this activity, we will learn how to find equivalent fractions.

 

Chocolate bar

 

There are 20 small pieces in this bar of chocolate.

There are 5 strips.

 

The big chunk is 4 strips out of 5.

It is also 16 small pieces out of 20.

 

So...

4/5 of the bar is equivalent to 16/20

 

Notice that:

4 x 4 = 16

4 x 5 = 20

 

We get equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator (top) and the denominator (bottom) of a fraction by the same number.

 

 

Example

Find the values of A, B, C and D to form equivalent fractions.

 

3
9
  =  
6
18
  =  
A
27
  =  
12
B
  =  
C
D

 

Answer

3/9 is the starting fraction.

 

In the second fraction, we get 6/18 by multiplying the top and bottom of 3/9 by 2.

In the third fraction, we multiply the top and bottom by 3. So A is 3 × 3 = 9.

In the fourth fraction, we multiply the top and bottom by 4. So B is 4 × 9 = 36.

And in the last fraction, we multiply the top and bottom by 5. So C is 5 × 3 = 15 and D is 5 × 9 = 45.

 

Notice the patterns.

The tops go  3, 6, 9, 12, 15.

The bottoms go 9, 18, 27, 36, 45.

 

In this activity, we will look for patterns like this.

 

girl with magnifying glass