Maths

Fractions

Class 4

🎯 Learning Objectives

📖 Let Us Begin!

In Class 3, you learned that a fraction is a part of a whole. You learned about halves, thirds, and quarters. Now in Class 4, we will go deeper!

Imagine your mother cuts a roti into 4 equal pieces and you eat 1 piece. You ate 1/4 of the roti. But what if she cuts another roti into 8 equal pieces and you eat 2 pieces? You ate 2/8. Surprise -- both are the same amount! These are called equivalent fractions. Let us explore more.

A Friendly Introduction

In Class 3, you learned that a fraction is a part of a whole. You learned about halves, thirds, and quarters. Now in Class 4, we will go deeper!

Imagine your mother cuts a roti into 4 equal pieces and you eat 1 piece. You ate 1/4 of the roti. But what if she cuts another roti into 8 equal pieces and you eat 2 pieces? You ate 2/8. Surprise -- both are the same amount! These are called equivalent fractions. Let us explore more.

Comparing Fractions

Rule 1: Same Denominator -- When the denominators are the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is greater.

Example
Example 1: Compare 3/7 and 5/7

Both have denominator 7. Since 5 > 3, we get 5/7 > 3/7.

Rule 2: Same Numerator -- When the numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is greater (bigger pieces).

Example
Example 2: Compare 2/5 and 2/9

Both have numerator 2. Since 5 < 9, the pieces in 2/5 are bigger. So 2/5 > 2/9.

Think: If you get 1/3 of a cake and your friend gets 1/6, who gets the bigger piece?

Fraction of a Group

To find a fraction of a group, divide the total by the denominator and multiply by the numerator.

Example
Example 3: Find 1/3 of 12 marbles

Divide 12 by 3 = 4. So 1/3 of 12 = 4 marbles.

Example
Example 4: Find 2/5 of 20 pencils

Divide 20 by 5 = 4. Multiply 4 x 2 = 8. So 2/5 of 20 = 8 pencils.

Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent fractions look different but show the same amount. You get an equivalent fraction by multiplying (or dividing) both the numerator and denominator by the same number.

Example
Example 5: Find an equivalent fraction of 1/2

Multiply numerator and denominator by 2: (1 x 2) / (2 x 2) = 2/4.

Multiply by 3: (1 x 3) / (2 x 3) = 3/6.

So 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6. They are all equivalent.

Think: Can you find two equivalent fractions for 2/3?

Like and Unlike Fractions

Like fractions have the same denominator. Example: 2/7, 5/7, 1/7.

Unlike fractions have different denominators. Example: 1/3, 2/5, 3/8.

Adding Fractions with the Same Denominator

When fractions have the same denominator, simply add the numerators. The denominator stays the same.

Example
Example 6: Add 2/9 + 4/9

Add numerators: 2 + 4 = 6. Denominator stays 9. Answer: 6/9.

Example
Example 7: Add 3/8 + 1/8

Add numerators: 3 + 1 = 4. Denominator stays 8. Answer: 4/8 (which equals 1/2).

📝 Key Words

WordMeaning
NumeratorThe top number of a fraction (parts taken)
DenominatorThe bottom number of a fraction (total equal parts)
Equivalent FractionsFractions that represent the same value
Like FractionsFractions with the same denominator
Unlike FractionsFractions with different denominators
⭐ Key Points to Remember

✏️ Practice Questions

A. Fill in the Blanks
1. In the fraction 5/8, the numerator is and the denominator is .
2. 1/4 of 20 = .
3. An equivalent fraction of 2/3 is .
4. 3/10 + 5/10 = .
5. Fractions with the same denominator are called fractions.
B. Compare Using >, < or =
1. 3/5 1/5
2. 4/7 4/11
3. 2/6 1/3
4. 5/9 7/9
C. Find the Fraction of a Group
1. 1/4 of 24 =
2. 2/3 of 15 =
3. 3/5 of 30 =
4. 1/6 of 42 =
D. Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which fraction is greater: 3/8 or 5/8?
(a) 3/8(b) 5/8(c) Both are equal(d) Cannot tell
2. An equivalent fraction of 1/2 is:
(a) 2/3(b) 3/6(c) 1/4(d) 2/5
3. What is 2/7 + 3/7?
(a) 5/14(b) 5/7(c) 6/7(d) 1/7
E. Short Answer Questions
1. Write three equivalent fractions for 1/4.
2. Ravi has 18 sweets. He gives 1/3 of them to his sister. How many sweets does his sister get?
3. Priya ate 2/6 of a pizza and her brother ate 3/6. What fraction of the pizza did they eat together?
🎨 Fun Activity -- Equivalent Fraction Chains

Start with the given fraction. Find equivalent fractions by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by 2, then by 3, then by 4. Complete the chain!

Startx 2x 3x 4
1/3
2/5
3/4

Want to use this as a worksheet? Switch to the A4 printable view.

Mathematics -- Class 4

Topic: Fractions (Comparing, Equivalent, and Adding)
Name: ____________________________Class: 4Date: ________________
Learning Objectives
A Friendly Introduction

In Class 3, you learned that a fraction is a part of a whole. You learned about halves, thirds, and quarters. Now in Class 4, we will go deeper!

Imagine your mother cuts a roti into 4 equal pieces and you eat 1 piece. You ate 1/4 of the roti. But what if she cuts another roti into 8 equal pieces and you eat 2 pieces? You ate 2/8. Surprise -- both are the same amount! These are called equivalent fractions. Let us explore more.

Comparing Fractions

Rule 1: Same Denominator -- When the denominators are the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is greater.

Example 1: Compare 3/7 and 5/7

Both have denominator 7. Since 5 > 3, we get 5/7 > 3/7.

Rule 2: Same Numerator -- When the numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is greater (bigger pieces).

Example 2: Compare 2/5 and 2/9

Both have numerator 2. Since 5 < 9, the pieces in 2/5 are bigger. So 2/5 > 2/9.

Think: If you get 1/3 of a cake and your friend gets 1/6, who gets the bigger piece?

Fraction of a Group

To find a fraction of a group, divide the total by the denominator and multiply by the numerator.

Example 3: Find 1/3 of 12 marbles

Divide 12 by 3 = 4. So 1/3 of 12 = 4 marbles.

Example 4: Find 2/5 of 20 pencils

Divide 20 by 5 = 4. Multiply 4 x 2 = 8. So 2/5 of 20 = 8 pencils.

Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent fractions look different but show the same amount. You get an equivalent fraction by multiplying (or dividing) both the numerator and denominator by the same number.

Example 5: Find an equivalent fraction of 1/2

Multiply numerator and denominator by 2: (1 x 2) / (2 x 2) = 2/4.

Multiply by 3: (1 x 3) / (2 x 3) = 3/6.

So 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6. They are all equivalent.

Think: Can you find two equivalent fractions for 2/3?

Like and Unlike Fractions

Like fractions have the same denominator. Example: 2/7, 5/7, 1/7.

Unlike fractions have different denominators. Example: 1/3, 2/5, 3/8.

Adding Fractions with the Same Denominator

When fractions have the same denominator, simply add the numerators. The denominator stays the same.

Example 6: Add 2/9 + 4/9

Add numerators: 2 + 4 = 6. Denominator stays 9. Answer: 6/9.

Example 7: Add 3/8 + 1/8

Add numerators: 3 + 1 = 4. Denominator stays 8. Answer: 4/8 (which equals 1/2).

Key Words
WordMeaning
NumeratorThe top number of a fraction (parts taken)
DenominatorThe bottom number of a fraction (total equal parts)
Equivalent FractionsFractions that represent the same value
Like FractionsFractions with the same denominator
Unlike FractionsFractions with different denominators

Mathematics -- Class 4 (continued)

Topic: Fractions -- Key Points and Practice
Key Points to Remember
Practice Questions

A. Fill in the Blanks

  1. In the fraction 5/8, the numerator is and the denominator is .
  2. 1/4 of 20 = .
  3. An equivalent fraction of 2/3 is .
  4. 3/10 + 5/10 = .
  5. Fractions with the same denominator are called fractions.

B. Compare Using >, < or =

  1. 3/5 1/5
  2. 4/7 4/11
  3. 2/6 1/3
  4. 5/9 7/9

C. Find the Fraction of a Group

  1. 1/4 of 24 =
  2. 2/3 of 15 =
  3. 3/5 of 30 =
  4. 1/6 of 42 =

D. Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which fraction is greater: 3/8 or 5/8?
    (a) 3/8(b) 5/8(c) Both are equal(d) Cannot tell
  2. An equivalent fraction of 1/2 is:
    (a) 2/3(b) 3/6(c) 1/4(d) 2/5
  3. What is 2/7 + 3/7?
    (a) 5/14(b) 5/7(c) 6/7(d) 1/7

E. Short Answer Questions

  1. Write three equivalent fractions for 1/4.
  2. Ravi has 18 sweets. He gives 1/3 of them to his sister. How many sweets does his sister get?
  3. Priya ate 2/6 of a pizza and her brother ate 3/6. What fraction of the pizza did they eat together?
Fun Activity -- Equivalent Fraction Chains

Start with the given fraction. Find equivalent fractions by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by 2, then by 3, then by 4. Complete the chain!

Startx 2x 3x 4
1/3
2/5
3/4