Grade 3 Fractions: Equivalent Fractions

Find fractions that are equal

What You'll Learn

Understand equivalent fractions
Multiply numerator and denominator by same number
Find equivalent fractions

📖Equal but Different

1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8. These are equivalent fractions - they look different but show the same amount. Multiply top and bottom by the same number to find equivalents.

💡

1/2 × 2/2 = 2/4. Multiplying by 2/2 (which equals 1) doesn't change the value!

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

Example 1
Write a fraction equivalent to 4/6
1. Equivalent fractions name the same amount. Multiply (or divide) the top and bottom of 4/6 by the same number.
2. The greatest number that divides both 4 and 6 is 2.
3. Divide the top and bottom by 2: 4 ÷ 2 = 2 and 6 ÷ 2 = 3, so 4/6 = 2/3.
4. So 4/6 = 2/3.
Answer: 2/3
Example 2
Write a fraction equivalent to 5/6
1. Equivalent fractions name the same amount. Multiply (or divide) the top and bottom of 5/6 by the same number.
2. Multiply the top and bottom by 2: 5 × 2 = 10 and 6 × 2 = 12, so 5/6 = 10/12.
3. So 5/6 = 10/12.
Answer: 10/12
Example 3
Write a fraction equivalent to 2/6
1. Equivalent fractions name the same amount. Multiply (or divide) the top and bottom of 2/6 by the same number.
2. The greatest number that divides both 2 and 6 is 2.
3. Divide the top and bottom by 2: 2 ÷ 2 = 1 and 6 ÷ 2 = 3, so 2/6 = 1/3.
4. So 2/6 = 1/3.
Answer: 1/3