Equivalent Fractions

In this learning concept, the students will learn about

Equivalent Fractions

Each concept is explained to class 4 maths students using illustrations, examples, and mind maps. Students can assess their learning by solving the printable Equivalent Fractions given at the page’s end.

Download the equivalent fractions worksheets for class 4 and check the equivalent fractions question for class 4, which is provided in PDF format.

Understanding Fractions:

A fraction consists of the numerator (the top number) and the denominator (the bottom number).
For example, in the fraction 2/4

, 2 is the numerator (parts we are considering), and 4 is the denominator (total parts).

What are Equivalent Fractions?

Equivalent fractions are different fractions that represent the same part of a whole.

Example:

1/2 is equivalent to 2/4 because both represent the same amount (half of a whole).

How to Find Equivalent Fractions:

Multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number (except zero).
Example:
Multiply: 1/2=2/4

(multiply both the numerator and denominator by 2).

Divide: 4/8=1/2

(divide both the numerator and denominator by 2).

Checking equivalent fractions

Fractions are said to be equivalent if their cross-products are equal.

The numerator of 1st fraction Denominator of 2nd fraction = The denominator of 1st fraction Numerator of 2nd fraction.

This is known as the Cross-Multiplication method.

Example:

Check if 6/12 and 1/2 are equivalent fractions.

Solution:

Cross Multiply

6 * 2 = 12 and 12 * 1 = 12 Hence, 6/12 and 1/2 are equivalent fractions.

Visualizing Equivalent Fractions:

Using diagrams or fraction bars is a helpful way to see that different fractions can represent the same value.

Example: If you have a rectangle divided into 2 equal parts, coloring 1 out of 2 parts is the same as coloring 2 out of 4 parts.

Equivalent Fractions

Simplifying Fractions:

Sometimes equivalent fractions can be simplified to their simplest form, where the numerator and denominator have no common factors (other than 1).

Example:

4/8 can be simplified to 1/2

by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 4.

Ancient Fractions: Fractions were used as early as 1800 BC in ancient Egypt! Egyptians used a unique system to write fractions, and their system was so different that they only used fractions with a numerator of 1 , like:

Ancient Fractions

Did You Know Zero Has No Fractions? Since you can’t divide anything into "zero parts," there are no fractions with zero as a denominator. Dividing by zero actually makes math "break" and gives us undefined results!

The Fraction Symbol (/) : Did you know the slash (/) we use in fractions today wasn’t always there? Fractions were once written with one number on top and another directly below, without a line in between! This changed over time as math notation evolved.