More numbers to 100
Fractions of numbers
Finding a fraction of a number is the same as sharing it into equal parts. In this unit you find half of an even number to 20, find a quarter of 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20, and add simple fractions.
Half of a number
To find half of a number, split it into 2 equal parts. Finding a half is the same as dividing by 2. For example, half of 10 is 10 ÷ 2 = 5. Half of 8 is 8 ÷ 2 = 4. You can also work backwards: if half of a number is 4, then the whole is 4 + 4 = 8.
A quarter of a number
To find a quarter of a number, split it into 4 equal parts. Finding a quarter is the same as dividing by 4. For example, a quarter of 8 is 8 ÷ 4 = 2. A quarter of 12 is 12 ÷ 4 = 3. You can find a quarter of 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20, because they all split into 4 equal parts.
Adding fractions
You can add fractions with the same bottom number by counting the parts. 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4, which is the same as a half. Four quarters make a whole: 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 1. Some fractions are equivalent, which means they cover the same amount. 1/2 is equivalent to 2/4.
Worked examples
Find half of 10
- Split 10 into 2 equal parts.
- Finding half is the same as 10 ÷ 2.
- Each part is 5.
Answer: Half of 10 is 5
Find a quarter of 8
- Split 8 into 4 equal parts.
- Finding a quarter is the same as 8 ÷ 4.
- Each part is 2.
Answer: A quarter of 8 is 2
Add 1/4 + 1/4
- Each quarter is 1 part out of 4 equal parts.
- Count the parts: 1 + 1 = 2 quarters.
- So 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4, which is the same as a half.
Answer: 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4
Where you see this in real life
- Sharing 8 apples equally between 4 friends by finding a quarter.
- Splitting a class of 12 children into two equal teams by finding half.
- Cutting a pizza into equal parts and sharing them out fairly.
Key words
- Half
- One of 2 equal parts of a number. Finding half is the same as dividing by 2.
- Quarter
- One of 4 equal parts of a number. Finding a quarter is the same as dividing by 4.
- Denominator
- The bottom number of a fraction. It tells you how many equal parts the whole is split into.
- Numerator
- The top number of a fraction. It tells you how many of the equal parts you have.
- Equivalent
- Two fractions that cover the same amount, such as 1/2 and 2/4.
- Visualise
- To picture the parts in your head to help you find a fraction of a number.