Find Equivalent Fraction Patterns

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

 

 

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.