1. Equivalent Fractions
One Whole 1

2. Equivalent Fractions
Cut them in half

3. 1 2 Equivalent Fractions Shown is one half How many pieces we want
How many pieces it’s cut into

4. Equivalent Fractions
Shown is one half 1 2
NUMERATOR
DENOMINATOR

5. Equivalent Fractions
I cut my shape again
I still show 1 2

6. Equivalent Fractions
But I also show 2 4

7. Equivalent Fractions
One half is EQUIVALENT TO
2 quarters 1 2 2 4

8. Equivalent Fractions 1 2 2 4
This symbol looks like an equals sign with a third line. It is the mathematical sign for EQUIVALENT TO - which means “is worth the same as”.

9. Equivalent Fractions
We can use equivalent fraction to make our numbers easier to handle.
Smaller numbers are SIMPLE
160
200 16 20 4 5
÷ 10
÷ 4
÷ 10
÷ 4

10. 160 200 4 5 Equivalent Fractions Simplest form
Lowest terms
Simplified
Cancelled down
We can use different language for making the fraction as small as possible.
Watch out for this language in the future. It is often used in Key Stage 3.
160
200 4 5
This fraction is as simple as we can make it

11. Equivalent Fractions
Look for numbers that both the NUMERATOR and the DENOMINATOR can be divided by.
We want numbers bigger than 1. 15 45 60 80
We call these COMMON FACTORS

12. Equivalent Fractions
These numbers have 3 as a common factor.
This means they can both be shared by 3. 15 45
÷ 3
÷ 3 60 80
÷ 10
A common factor here is 10
÷ 10

13. Equivalent Fractions 15 45 5 15
÷ 3
÷ 3 60 80 6 8
÷ 10
÷ 10

14. 15 45 5 15 60 80 6 8 Equivalent Fractions ÷ 3 ÷ 5 ÷ 3 ÷ 5 ÷ 10 ÷ 2

15. 15 45 5 15 1 3 60 80 6 8 3 4 Equivalent Fractions ÷ 3 ÷ 5 ÷ 3 ÷ 5 ÷ 10
÷ 2
÷ 10
÷ 2

16. Equivalent Fractions
If the top number is a 1, we know we can stop. 15 45 1 3
If the top and bottom number are not DIVISIBLE by the same number, we stop. 60 80 3 4

17. Equivalent Fractions
They have no FACTORS in common other than 1 15 45 1 3 60 80 3 4
They have no FACTORS in common other than 1