Same amount, different fractions
A fraction can look different without changing how much we have. Let’s see why.
Can these all show the same amount?
Choose a fraction. The shaded amount stays the same, but the whole is cut into more pieces.
Cut every piece in half
Start with one half. Then cut every piece in half again.
Two thirds can become four sixths
Cut each third into two equal pieces. Nothing is added and nothing is taken away.
Equivalent fractions
Fractions that name the same amount are called equivalent fractions.
Start with 3/4 and scale by 2.
Optional: explore what can go wrong.
Match equivalent fractions
Choose the missing number. When you are right, the second picture slides over the first so you can compare the amounts.
Same amount or different amount?
Try five new examples. Your answers feed into your Practice Lab log on this device. For Yes/No questions, select a button to check your answer.
You have learned
The same amount can be named by different fractions. Equivalent fractions appear when we split every piece into the same number of smaller equal pieces.
Next: what happens when we put familiar fraction pieces together?