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Basic 3 · Mathematics · Fractions

Understanding Fractions

In this topic you will understand fractions like ⅔ and ¾ and find fractions of a group.

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

  • Read and write fractions like ⅔ and ¾
  • Show fractions with shapes
  • Find a fraction of a group of objects

What you already know

  • Unit fractions

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
B3.1.3.1.2 – Understand explain and demonstrate fractions

Introduction

Mother cut a loaf into 4 equal pieces. Kofi ate 3 pieces. He ate three-quarters (¾) of the loaf.

1. Fractions with More Than One Part

Fractions
FractionMeaning
⅔2 of 3 equal parts
¾3 of 4 equal parts
⅗3 of 5 equal parts
Shapes showing ⅔, ¾ and ⅗ shaded
Figure 1: Shading fractions Draw and shade ¾ of a square.Illustration: Sirbus

2. Fraction of a Group

Example

Find ¼ of 12 oranges.

  1. Share 12 into 4 equal groups: 3 in each group.
  2. ¼ is one group.

Answer: ¼ of 12 = 3

Example

Find ¾ of 12 oranges.

  1. ¼ of 12 = 3
  2. ¾ is 3 groups: 3 + 3 + 3 = 9

Answer: ¾ of 12 = 9

Tip: To find a fraction of a group, divide by the denominator, then multiply by the numerator.

New words

fraction
A part of a whole or group.
equal parts
Parts of the same size.
group
A number of things together.
three-quarters
3 of 4 equal parts (¾).

Summary

  • ⅔ means 2 of 3 equal parts.
  • To find ¼ of a group, share into 4 equal groups.
  • ¾ of 12 = 9.

Class activity: Fraction Shares

  1. Take 12 bottle tops.
  2. Find ⅓, ⅔ and ¾ of them by making equal groups.
  3. Record your answers.

You need: Fraction strips cut from old cartons, Bottle tops, Exercise books

Exercises

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

  1. 1. ¾ means…

    • A. 3 of 4 equal parts
    • B. 4 of 3 parts
    • C. 3 + 4
    • D. 7 parts
    Show answer
    Answer: 3 of 4 equal partsNumerator 3, denominator 4.

  2. 2. What is ⅓ of 9?

    • A. 3
    • B. 6
    • C. 9
    • D. 1
    Show answer
    Answer: 3Share 9 into 3 groups.

  3. 3. ⅔ is bigger than ⅓.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: True2 parts is more than 1 part.

  4. 4. ¾ of 8 is 4.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: False¼ of 8 = 2, so ¾ of 8 = 6.

  5. 5. ½ of 20 = ______

    Show answer
    Answer: 10Share into 2 groups.

  6. 6. Shade ⅗ of a rectangle.

    Show answer
    Answer: A rectangle in 5 equal parts with 3 shaded.3 of 5 equal parts.

Homework

  1. Share 12 items at home into equal groups to find ½, ⅓ and ¼.