Equivalent Fractions

Grade 4 · fractions · 89 practice problems · read aloud

🔊 Listen to this explanation

Equivalent Fractions: The Same Amount, Different Look! ✨

What Are Equivalent Fractions?

Equivalent fractions are different fractions that name the same amount. Think of it like cutting a pizza into 2 big slices or 4 smaller slices. You still have the same whole pizza, just cut differently! 🍕

Why it's useful: It helps us compare, add, and subtract fractions easily.

How to Find Equivalent Fractions: Step-by-Step

  1. Start with your original fraction.
  2. Choose a number to multiply the numerator (top number) by.
  3. Multiply the denominator (bottom number) by the same number.
  4. Check your new fraction! It should be equivalent to the first.

Visual Examples

Example 1: Find a fraction equivalent to 1/2.

Let's multiply the top and bottom by 2.

1 × 2 = 2
2 × 2 = 4

So, 1/2 = 2/4. Two quarters of a pizza is the same as one half!

Example 2: Find a fraction equivalent to 2/3.

Let's multiply the top and bottom by 3.

2 × 3 = 6
3 × 3 = 9

So, 2/3 = 6/9.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 🚫

Mistake: Only multiplying the top or the bottom number.

Fix: Remember the golden rule: Whatever you do to the top, you MUST do to the bottom!

Mistake: Adding or subtracting to find equivalent fractions.

Fix: Equivalent fractions are made by multiplying or dividing, never by adding or subtracting.

Tips & Tricks

The "Magic One" Rule: Multiplying a fraction by 1 doesn't change its value. Since 2/2, 3/3, and 4/4 are all equal to 1, you are just multiplying by 1 in a fancy way!

Use a Picture: Draw a rectangle or circle, divide it, and shade parts. Can you divide it into more pieces while keeping the same amount shaded?

How to Practice

  • Fraction Strips: Make paper strips, fold them to show halves, fourths, and eighths, and see which ones line up!
  • Flashcards: Create cards with fractions on the front and their equivalents on the back.
  • Real-World Practice: When you share food or cut paper, talk about the fractions you see. "If I cut my sandwich into 4 pieces, each piece is 1/4. Two pieces are 2/4, which is the same as 1/2!"

Practice problems

6 of the 89, worked through step by step — try them before opening the answer.

1 3/4 = __/12

Hint: To find equivalent fractions, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same number

Show the answer

Answer: 9

  1. Look at the denominator change from 4 to 12
  2. Determine what number multiplied by 4 equals 12: 4 × 3 = 12
  3. Multiply the numerator by the same number: 3 × 3 = 9
  4. The equivalent fraction is 9/12 The missing number is 9.

2 3/5 = __/20

Hint: To find an equivalent fraction, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same number to get the new denominator.

Show the answer

Answer: 12

  1. The original fraction is 3/5 and the new denominator is 20.
  2. Find what number you multiply the original denominator (5) by to get the new denominator (20). 5 × 4 = 20.
  3. Multiply the original numerator (3) by the same number (4). 3 × 4 = 12.
  4. The equivalent fraction is 12/20. The missing numerator is 12.

3 3/4 = __/20

Hint: To find an equivalent fraction, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same number.

Show the answer

Answer: 15

  1. Look at the denominators. The first fraction has a denominator of 4, and the second fraction has a denominator of 20.
  2. Determine what number you multiply 4 by to get 20. 4 × 5 = 20.
  3. Since you multiplied the denominator by 5, you must also multiply the numerator by 5 to keep the fractions equivalent.
  4. Multiply the numerator: 3 × 5 = 15.
  5. The equivalent fraction is 15/20.

The answer is 15.

4 5/8 = __/32

Hint: To find equivalent fractions, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same number

Show the answer

Answer: 20

  1. Look at the denominator change from 8 to 32
  2. Determine what number multiplied by 8 equals 32: 8 × 4 = 32
  3. Multiply the numerator by the same number: 5 × 4 = 20
  4. The equivalent fraction is 20/32 The missing number is 20.

5 3/5 = __/25

Hint: To find equivalent fractions, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same number

Show the answer

Answer: 15

  1. Look at the denominator change from 5 to 25
  2. Determine what number multiplied by 5 equals 25: 5 × 5 = 25
  3. Multiply the numerator by the same number: 3 × 5 = 15
  4. The equivalent fraction is 15/25 The missing number is 15.

6 4/7 = __/28

Hint: To find equivalent fractions, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same number to reach the new denominator.

Show the answer

Answer: 16

  1. The original fraction is 4/7 and the new denominator is 28.
  2. Find what number you multiply the original denominator (7) by to get the new denominator (28). 7 × 4 = 28.
  3. Multiply the original numerator (4) by the same number (4). 4 × 4 = 16.
  4. The equivalent fraction is 16/28. The missing numerator is 16.
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