Fractions
Class 6 · Mathematics
4 ideas in Class 6 Mathematics, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Fractional Units and Equal Sharing
Part of: Understanding Fractions
When we divide something fairly into equal pieces and share it, each person gets a fraction of the whole. If one pie is cut into 4 equal pieces and one person gets one piece, that piece is 1/4 of the pie. The bottom number tells us how many pieces the whole was cut into, and the top number tells us how many pieces one person got.
Why it matters. Fair sharing is part of daily life. Understanding fractions helps children see why larger groups get smaller pieces and why dividing the same amount among more people gives less to each person.
Try it in two minutes
- Take a piece of paper and fold it in half. Unfold. Ask: how many equal parts? If one part is one share, what fraction is one part? (1/2)
- Fold the same paper in half again. Now you have 4 equal parts. Ask: what fraction is one part now? Why is 1/4 smaller than 1/2?
- Take 6 equal small objects (buttons or crackers) and divide them between 2 children, then 3 children. Ask: who gets more, and why?
Try at home. Cut an apple or sandwich into equal pieces. Ask your child what fraction each piece is, and what fraction two pieces together make.
Fractions as Parts of a Whole
Part of: Understanding Fractions
We can show fractions using pictures of shapes divided into equal parts and shaded. A rectangle divided into 5 equal columns with 3 columns shaded shows 3/5. The shape stays the same, but we can count what fraction is shaded. Not all parts need the same shape; what matters is that they are equal in size.
Why it matters. Seeing fractions as pictures helps children understand that fractions are real amounts, not just abstract numbers. It also prepares them to compare fractions and combine them.
Try it in two minutes
- Draw a rectangle and divide it into 4 equal parts with lines. Shade 3 parts. Ask: what fraction is shaded?
- Draw a circle and divide it into 6 equal parts (like pizza slices). Shade 2. Ask: what fraction is shaded now?
- Draw another rectangle divided into 6 equal parts differently (not slices). Shade 2. Ask: is this 2/6 also?
Try at home. Draw shapes and divide them into equal parts. Ask your child to shade different fractions and say what fraction is shaded.
Equivalent Fractions
Part of: Extending Fractions
Equivalent fractions are different fractions that stand for the same amount. For example, 1/2, 2/4, and 3/6 all represent the same amount. If you fold a paper strip in half, you get two pieces. If you fold the same strip into 4 pieces and take 2, that is the same as 1/2. You can make equivalent fractions by multiplying or dividing the top and bottom numbers by the same number.
Why it matters. Recognizing equivalent fractions helps when comparing fractions, adding them, and simplifying answers. It also shows that fractions have flexibility and can be written in many ways.
Try it in two minutes
- Take a paper strip. Fold it in half and mark the crease. This shows 1/2.
- Fold the same strip in half again into 4 parts. Mark the folds. Ask: is 2/4 the same amount as 1/2?
- Fold once more into 8 parts. Mark the folds. Ask: how many 8ths equal 1/2?
Try at home. Draw rectangles divided into different numbers of equal parts and shade to show 1/2, 2/4, 3/6, 4/8. Ask your child if they are the same.
Comparing Fractions
Part of: Extending Fractions
To compare fractions, we can use pictures or number lines. When fractions have the same denominator (bottom number), just compare the numerators (top numbers). When they have different denominators, we can find equivalent fractions with the same denominator, then compare. We can also use a rule: if two fractions have the same numerator, the one with the smaller denominator is larger.
Why it matters. Comparing fractions is essential for measuring, cooking, sharing fairly, and understanding quantities in the real world. It helps us make choices like which is a better deal or larger portion.
Try it in two minutes
- Draw two rectangles. Divide the first into 4 parts and shade 1. Divide the second into 4 parts and shade 3. Ask: which is bigger, 1/4 or 3/4?
- Draw two more rectangles. Divide the first into 4 parts and shade 2. Divide the second into 6 parts and shade 2. Ask: which is bigger, 2/4 or 2/6?
- Say: 1/2 and 1/5. Ask: which is bigger and why?
Try at home. Show fractions using objects: half a pizza vs 1/3 of a pizza; 2/5 of an apple vs 3/5 of an apple. Ask your child which is more.
What your child will practise
- Comparing Fractions: Fraction Sort (Sort It Out)
- Comparing Fractions: Jungle Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Equivalent Fractions: Space Quest (Flip and Match)
- Fractional Units and Equal Sharing: Desert Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Fractions as Parts of a Whole: Candy Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Quiz: Comparing Fractions (8 questions)
- Quiz: Equivalent Fractions (8 questions)
- Quiz: Fractional Units and Equal Sharing (8 questions)
- Quiz: Fractions as Parts of a Whole (8 questions)