Parts and Wholes
Class 5 · Mathematics
4 ideas in Class 5 Mathematics, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Fractions as Equal Parts
Part of: Equal parts and fractions
A fraction names equal parts of a whole. If a roti is folded into 4 equal parts and one part is taken, that part is one-fourth. The parts must be equal. The bottom number tells how many equal parts the whole has and the top number tells how many are taken.
Why it matters. Without the idea of equal parts, children think any piece is a half or a third. This causes mistakes later when they compare and add fractions.
Try it in two minutes
- Fold a sheet of paper into 2 equal parts. Ask: what is each part called?
- Fold another sheet into 4 equal parts and colour 3 of them. Ask: what fraction is coloured and what fraction is white?
- Tear a third sheet into 3 unequal pieces. Ask: can we call each piece one-third? Why not?
Try at home. Cut a chapati or a bar of soap into equal parts at meal time and let your child name each share.
Fraction of a Group
Part of: Equal parts and fractions
We can take a fraction of a group of things, not only of one object. Half of 20 beads means sharing 20 beads into 2 equal groups and taking one group, which is 10 beads. For three-fifths, find one-fifth first and then take 3 of those parts.
Why it matters. Sharing and dividing things fairly happens every day. Children who only see fractions on shapes struggle when the whole is a set of things or an amount of money.
Try it in two minutes
- Put 12 buttons on the table. Ask your child to take half, then one-third, then one-fourth.
- Ask: how many buttons are in three-fourths? Let them find one-fourth first.
- Pose a reverse puzzle: one-fourth of a heap is 5 buttons, how many were in the whole heap?
Try at home. Ask your child to find one-fifth of 20 rupees using coins and to say the answer in a full sentence.
Equivalent Fractions
Part of: Same amount, different names
Different fractions can show the same amount. One-half of a chapati is the same as 2 of 4 equal parts or 4 of 8 equal parts. When both the top and bottom numbers are multiplied by the same number, the amount stays the same.
Why it matters. Equal fractions with different names appear when comparing and adding. Children who see this early do not get confused when 2/4 and 1/2 look different.
Try it in two minutes
- Make three paper strips of the same length. Fold one into 2, one into 4 and one into 8 equal parts.
- Colour half of each strip. Ask: how many fourths cover the same part as one half?
- Ask the same for eighths and write the matching fractions together.
Try at home. Place two equal glasses of juice side by side and fill one to half and the other to 4/8. Ask whether they hold the same amount.
Fractions in Money, Time and Weight
Part of: Fractions in daily life
Fractions help us talk about parts of money, time and weight. 50 paise is half of a rupee. A quarter of a year is 3 months. 24 hours make a day, so one-third of a day is 8 hours. Two and a half kg means 2 kg and half a kg.
Why it matters. Shopping, schedules and travel use these ideas every day. Children who link fractions to real life remember them better.
Try it in two minutes
- Ask: how many 25 paise coins make a rupee? What fraction of a rupee is one coin?
- Draw a clock circle for one day of 24 hours. Ask your child to mark one-third for sleeping and one-fourth for study.
- Ask the cost of 2 and a half kg of something with a price you know.
Try at home. At the next market visit, let your child find the cost of half a kg and a quarter kg of one item.
What your child will practise
- Equivalent Fractions: Desert Quest (Flip and Match)
- Equivalent Fractions: Ocean Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Fraction of a Group: Desert Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Fractions as Equal Parts: Space Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Fractions in Money, Time and Weight: Space Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Quiz: Equivalent Fractions (8 questions)
- Quiz: Fraction of a Group (8 questions)
- Quiz: Fractions as Equal Parts (8 questions)
- Quiz: Fractions in Money, Time and Weight (8 questions)