1. Fractions! In this session we will look at: What fractions tell us.
Equivalent fractions – what are they?
How to simplify fractions.
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre
Jennifer Williamson, Skills for Life Tutor, Juniper Training Ltd. Wolverhampton
Jennifer says:
The unusual orange background was used to suit a student with dyslexia but can easily be changed.
Adult Numeracy links:
N2/E3.1 read, write and understand common fractions e.g. 3/4, 1/10, 2/3.
N2/E3.2 Recognise and use equivalent forms (e.g. 5/10 = 1/2).
N2/L1.1 Read, write, order and compare common fractions and mixed numbers
N2/L1.3 Recognise equivalencies between common fractions, percentages and decimals
N2/L2.1 Use fractions to order or compare amounts or quantities
N2/L2.2 Identify equivalencies between fractions, percentages and decimals

2. Name the Fractions shaded
Six twelfths
One quarter
One half
Two eighths
Two fifths
One third
Two quarters

3. Equivalent Fractions
You also need to be able to identify fractions that are the same as each other.
These are known as equivalent fractions.
You can find them by ‘simplifying’ the fraction you are given.

4. How to simplify fractions
You will need your division skills for this task.
You may want to write the sum on paper until you get more confident at doing them!
Which fraction is equivalent to 5/10 ?
4/6 1/2 1/5

5. Step 1 – Write down your original fraction.5 10
Step 2 - Think of a number that both sides of the fraction can be divided by without any remainders.
I.e. a number that both 5 & 10 can be divided by.
Step 3 – When you have thought of a number try it as follows. We will try ‘5’.
5 ÷ = 1
10 ÷ = 2
Step 4 – The sum works out to ½ so this is your answer!

6. Step 1 – Write down your original fraction.9 12
Step 2 - Think of a number that both sides of the fraction can be divided by without any remainders.
I.e. a number that both 9 & 12 can be divided by.
Step 3 – When you have thought of a number try it as follows. We will try ‘3’.
9 ÷ = 3
12 ÷ = 4
Step 4 – The sum works out to ¾ so this is your answer!

7. Step 1 – Write down your original fraction.96
108
Step 2 - Sometimes you won’t know a single number that goes into both top and bottom. Look for an easy number to start with.
Step 3 – When you have thought of a number try it as follows. We will try ‘2’.
96 ÷ =
÷ 2 =
Step 4 – Now you can carry on!

8. Step 1 – Write down your new fraction.48 54
Step 2 - Now you can think of a number that both sides of the fraction can be divided by without any remainders.
Step 3 – When you have thought of a number try it as follows. We will try ‘6’.
48 ÷ 6 = 8
54 ÷ 6 = 9
Step 4 – Nothing goes into 8 and 9 so this is your answer!

9. Step 1 – Sometimes they give you a clue...
28 is the same as (=) ?
Step 2 - Now you can think of a number that goes into the top part to make 4 (28 divided by something makes 4) and also goes into the bottom part.
Step 3 – When you have thought of a number try it as follows. We will try ‘7’.
28 ÷ 7 = (they told us that)
63 ÷ 7 = 9
Hint: if it doesn’t work the first time, see if another number goes into the top number…..

10. Step 1 – Sometimes you are asked to
“unsimplify”a fraction. ?
3 Is the same as (=)
Step 2 - Take a look at the parts of both fractions that have numbers. In this case, 3 has been multiplied by something to get 9. You have probably worked out that the something is 3.
Step 3 – Now multiply the other side of the fraction by 3 to get the missing number.
= 3
= 9 (they told us that)

11. Give these a go - answers follow…
2/ =
3/ =
5/ =
6/ =
4/ =
8/ =

12. Simplifying fractions
2/ = 1/5
3/ = 1/3
5/ = 1/3
6/ = 1/8
4/ = 1/6
8/ = /2

13. Now try these…
5/ =
9/ =
7/ =
16/ =
25/ =
77/ =

14. Simplifying fractions
5/ = /4
9/ = /5
7/ = 1/8
16/ = 1/2
25/ = 5/11
77/ = 7/9

15. Now try these on your own!
4/ / /10 6/15
9/ / /8
3/18 8/12 6/9 12/15
7/ /18 6/60
Check your answers with a partner

16. Credits
Developed by Jennifer Williamson, Skills for Life Tutor, Juniper Training Ltd. Wolverhampton
Adapted by Barbara Kay, Knowsley FACE
Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre