Practice Understanding Equivalent Fractions with Visuals with Our Flashcards and Videos

What are Equivalent Fractions?

Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same part of a whole, even though they may look different. For example, 1/2 is equivalent to 2/4, 3/6, and so on.

Visualizing Equivalent Fractions

To understand equivalent fractions, it's helpful to visualize them using same-sized wholes divided into different numbers of equal parts.

Step-by-Step Explanation

1. Identify the Whole:Imagine a whole bar completely shaded in purple. This bar represents 1 whole.
   

2. Divide the Whole:If we want to find which bars represent 1/2, we can divide the whole bar into 2 equal sections. Shading one section represents 1/2.
   

3. Compare Different Divisions:Next, look at bars divided into more sections. For example, a bar divided into 4 sections, where 2 sections are shaded (2/4), is equivalent to 1/2.
   Similarly, a bar divided into 6 sections with 3 shaded (3/6) is also equivalent to 1/2.
   

4. Identify Non-equivalent Fractions:A bar divided into 5 sections with 3 shaded (3/5) is not equivalent to 1/2 because it covers more than half.
   A bar divided into 3 sections with 1 shaded (1/3) is also not equivalent to 1/2 as it covers less than half.
   

Key Points

• 1/2 = 2/4: When you divide the bar into 4 sections and shade 2, it represents the same amount as shading 1 out of 2 sections.

• 1/2 = 3/6: Dividing the bar into 6 sections and shading 3 also represents the same amount as shading 1 out of 2 sections.

Understanding equivalent fractions becomes intuitive when you visualize how dividing a whole into different parts still represents the same fraction of that whole, as long as the proportion remains the same.