Cut a whole into 4 equal shares. Each one is a fourth, also called a quarter.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
The smallest of the three
Halves, thirds, fourths. More shares each time, and smaller pieces each time.
Two fourths is a half
Shade two of the four shares and you have shaded half the shape.
Four equal shares
Cutting a whole into four equal parts gives fourths, also called quarters. One part is one fourth or one quarter. Four of them rebuild the whole.
Fourths come from halving twice
Halve a shape, then halve each half, and you have four equal parts. This is why two fourths make one half — the two smaller pieces came from the same half in the first place.
Putting the three sizes in order
One half is biggest, then one third, then one fourth. More shares always means smaller pieces. If you ever doubt it, imagine sharing one pizza between 2 people, then 3, then 4 — your slice keeps shrinking.
Step 2: Try It Yourself
Tap and try it out.
The whole is cut into 4 equal shares, called fourths.
Step 3: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Watch Ana Compare Shares
Ana cuts three identical circles into 2, 3, and 4 shares.
- Step 1
She lines the three circles up side by side.
Step 4: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
Four Friends
Problem 1 of 2
A cake is shared equally between 4 people. How many shares?
Two Pieces
Problem 2 of 2
How many fourths make one half?
Halves, Thirds, Fourths
1 of 3
How many fourths make one whole?
2 of 3
How many fourths make one half?
3 of 3
Which is bigger, a fourth or a third?
Step 5: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 2
How many fourths make one whole?
Question 2 of 2
What is another word for a fourth?
What You Learned
- Four equal shares are fourths, or quarters.
- Two fourths cover the same as one half.
- More shares always means smaller shares.