Equal Parts of a Whole

Cutting fairly is where fractions start.

10 problems · about 12 minutes · 3.NF.A.1, 3.G.A.2

NameDate

Figures — use these to answer the problems

Cut the circle into equal parts and shade some of them.

0/4 shaded

How many equal parts4

Figure 1

These parts are not equal, so they cannot be named as a fraction.

How many pieces3

Figure 2

From earlier lessons. Loosen up before the new work.

3 problems

From “Area of Joined Shapes”
A 6 by 3 part and a 4 by 2 part. Total area?
Answer
From “Same Area, Different Shape”
A 2 by 9 rectangle. What is its area?
Answer
From “Telling Area and Perimeter Apart”
A rectangle 9 by 4. What is its area?
Answer

Straightforward practice. Get the method working first.

3 problems

A shape cut into 5 equal parts. What is the denominator?
Answer
5
What does the denominator tell you?
- How many equal parts the whole was cut into.
- How many parts are shaded.
A shape cut into 8 equal parts. What is the denominator?
Answer

The same ideas with more to keep track of.

1 problem

7
Must the parts be equal to name a fraction?
- Yes. Always.
- No. Any parts will do.

Mixed problems. Work out what kind of question it is before you start.

3 problems

8
A whole cut into 3 equal parts. What is one part called?
- A third.
- A half.
The Pizza
A pizza is cut into 6 equal slices. What is the denominator?
Answer
10
Smaller Pieces
Which gives smaller pieces, cutting into 4 parts or into 8?
- Into 8.
- Into 4.