Complete the Equivalent Fractions

This activity is about finding equivalent fractions.

 

This diagram shows 3/5 of the rectangle shaded blue. When it is split horizontally, each small piece is now 1/15 of the rectangle, so 3/5 = 9/15.

 

 

Both the numerator (top) and the denominator (bottom) of the original fraction have been multiplied by the number 3.

 

We can form equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator and denominator of any fraction by the same number.

 

Let's try an example.

 

Example
Complete the equivalent fraction.

3/5 = 9/__

 

Answer

Looking at the numerator, we can see that 3 x 3 = 9.

When finding equivalent fractions, we must do the same thing to both the numerator and denominator. In this case, that means multiplying them both by 3.

 

3 x 3 = 9

5 x 3 = 15

 

The missing denominator is 15.

3/5 = 9/15

 

Are you ready to have a go at finding equivalent fractions?