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Basic 2 · Mathematics · Fractions

Halves and Quarters

In this topic you will learn about one-half and one-quarter of a whole.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Show one-half of a shape or object
  • Show one-quarter of a shape or object
  • Write ½ and ¼

What you already know

  • One-half (Basic 1)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Number
Sub-strand
Fractions
Indicator
B2.1.3.1.1 – Understand the fraction one-half and one- quarter

Introduction

Mother cuts a loaf of bread into 4 equal pieces for 4 children. Each child gets one-quarter of the loaf.

1. One-Half

When a whole is cut into 2 equal parts, each part is one-half (½).

2. One-Quarter

When a whole is cut into 4 equal parts, each part is one-quarter (¼).

A circle cut into 2 equal parts and a square cut into 4 equal parts
Figure 1: One-half and one-quarter Draw a square, cut it into quarters and shade ¼.Illustration: Sirbus
Halves and quarters
FractionEqual parts in the wholeName
½2one-half
¼4one-quarter

Common mistake: The parts must be equal. Four unequal pieces are not quarters.

New words

whole
One complete thing.
half
One of 2 equal parts.
quarter
One of 4 equal parts.
fraction
A part of a whole.

Summary

  • One-half (½) is 1 of 2 equal parts.
  • One-quarter (¼) is 1 of 4 equal parts.
  • The parts must be equal.

Class activity: Fold It

  1. Take a fraction strip.
  2. Fold it in half and open it. Shade one half.
  3. Take another strip. Fold it in half twice to make quarters.
  4. Shade one quarter.

You need: Fraction strips cut from old cartons, Whole-and-part fruit picture cards, Exercise books

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. How many equal parts are in quarters?

    • A. 4
    • B. 2
    • C. 3
    • D. 5
    Show answer
    Answer: 4Quarters split a whole into 4.

  2. 2. Which is bigger, ½ or ¼ of the same orange?

    • A. ½
    • B. ¼
    • C. They are equal
    • D. Neither
    Show answer
    Answer: ½Fewer equal parts means bigger parts.

  3. 3. One-quarter is written ¼.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueThat is how we write it.

  4. 4. A bread cut into 4 unequal pieces is cut into quarters.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseQuarters must be equal.

  5. 5. 1 of 2 equal parts is one-______.

    Show answer
    Answer: halfThat is one-half.

  6. 6. Draw a rectangle and shade one-quarter.

    Show answer
    Answer: A rectangle in 4 equal parts with 1 part shaded.One of four equal parts.

Homework

  1. Fold a sheet of paper into quarters. Colour each quarter a different colour.