Equivalent Fractions

This interactive Powerpoint (consisting of 38 interactive slides plus printables) helps pupils to understand equivalent fractions.

One of the confusions for pupils when learning fractions is that they consider the numerators and denominators as positive integers rather than as representing the relationship between the part and the whole. This can be a problem for equivalent fractions since pupils can struggle to understand that fractions containing different numerators and denominators can be equivalent since they see the numbers as different.

Pupils need to understand that fractions refer to relative amounts rather than focusing on the two separate numbers (the numerator and denominator) and that fractions answer how much, rather than how many.

Using fraction circles, fraction strips, fraction walls and number lines helps pupils to see the connections between the different fractions and their relation to each other and the whole.

While using these visual resources, pupils often start to spot how to create equivalent fractions and to make this more explicit, sequences are used to develop this idea of using multiples and factors of the numerator and the denominator.

Simplifying fractions is associated with making fractions simpler rather than changing them so using the term reducing is avoided since pupils can associate this with the fraction being smaller and different from the original fraction.

Statements are used to provoke discussion since pupils need to explain why they agree or disagree with the statement or give examples of the circumstances when the statement is true or false.

Games are also included to consolidate ideas and promote discussion by justifying choices. Instructions and demonstration slides for the games are provided, as well as printable resources, so that the games can be played as a whole class or within groups.

Printables and answers are included to minimise preparation time.

Each slide has accompanying notes to assist teachers when working on the development of concepts with pupils.

Typical SATs style questions are also included as practice at the end of the presentation.