Practise Finding Non-unit Fractions of Numbers or Quantities

In this activity, we will be learning how to find non-unit fractions of numbers and quantities.

 

A unit fraction uses one as a numerator. 

A non-unit fraction uses a number larger than one as a numerator.

 

Remember that the numerator is the top number of a fraction.

The bottom number is called the denominator.

 

So, 1/4 is a unit fraction because it has 1 as its numerator.

3/4 is a non-unit fraction because it has 3 as its numerator.

 

 

Let's look at an example of finding a unit fraction of an amount.

 

 

Here are eight dogs. 

To find one quarter of them, we need to share 8 into 4 equal groups. 

 

 

8 ÷ 4 = 2

There will be two dogs in each group. 

So, 1/4 of eight is 2.

 

 

We can also see that if 1/4 is 2, then 3/4 must be 6. 

 

1/4 of 8 = 2

2 x 3 = 6

3/4 of 8 = 6

 

Example

Look at the picture below.

What is two thirds (2/3) of 6?

 

 

Answer

Let's look carefully at the animals. 

 

There are 6 cats. 

 

To find 1/3, we must divide them into 3 equal groups. 

6 ÷ 3 = 2

1/3 of 6 is 2.

 

Next, we multiply this by 2 to find 2/3.

2 x 2 = 4

2/3 of 6 = 4.

 

There's a handy little rule to remember when finding non-unit fractions of quantities.

 

Here it is:

Divide the big number by the bottom number and multiply by the top number!

 

Are you ready to try some of these for yourself?