When we share a box of apples and give half to Ann and half to Bill, they will each get the same number.

When we share a box of apples and give ¾ to Ann and the rest to Bill, Ann will get more than Bill.

Example

A class has 25 children.

3/5 are boys.

How many boys and girls are in the class?

Answer

This looks impossible, but it isn't!

We need to start by working out what 1 fifth of the children is.

1/5 of 25 = 25 ÷ 5 = 5 children.

So, if 1/5 of 25 is 5,  3/5 = 3 × 5 = 15 

We know that 3/5 of the class are boys, so we have 15 boys.

Finally, we do 25 - 15 = 10 girls.

We could also do this another way!

If 3/5 of the class are boys, then 2/5 of the class will be girls.

We know that 1/5 of 25 is 5, so 2/5 = 2 × 5 = 10 girls.

It doesn't matter which way we work it out because we end up with the same answer!

Shall we have a go at some questions now?