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Number Trail Grade 3 / Week 08 / Monday
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Week 08 · Same size, different names

Monday

Equivalent fractions
// Equivalent fractions and comparing
⏱ about 15 min

Monday: Equivalent fractions

Donnie the Deer walks slowly to the meadow with his satchel.

He takes out two paper strips of the same length.

One strip is cut in half. The other is cut into fourths.

"Look closely," Donnie says softly.

"One half covers the same length as two fourths."

Bennie the Bear lays the strips side by side.

"Different names, same amount," says Bennie. "They are equivalent."

Learn it: same length, different names

These three strips are the same length. Each one shows the same amount.

Three strips: 1/2, 2/4 and 4/8 shaded, all the same length

1 half covers the same length as 2 fourths.

It also covers the same length as 4 eighths.

So 1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8. These are equivalent fractions.

Two strips: 2/3 and 4/6 shaded, the same length

Each third is cut into 2 sixths. So 2/3 = 4/6.

FIND THE EQUAL FRACTION
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Strips for 1/2 and 2/41/2 = ?/4
1/2 = ?/8
Strips for 3/4 and 6/83/4 = ?/8
Strips for 2/3 and 4/62/3 = ?/6
1/3 = ?/6
WHICH IS THE SAME AMOUNT?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which fraction is the same amount as 1/2?
Which fraction is the same amount as 1/4?
Which fraction is the same amount as 2/2?
Which fraction is the same amount as 2/6?
READ THE STRIPS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
A bar cut into four equal parts, two shadedThis strip shows the same amount as 1/2. What fraction is shaded?
A bar cut into eight equal parts, two shadedThis strip shows the same amount as 1/4. What fraction is shaded?
A bar cut into six equal parts, two shadedThis strip shows the same amount as 1/3. What fraction is shaded?
SentenceTrue or false?
1/2 = 2/4?
3/4 = 6/8?
1/3 = 3/6?
2/3 = 4/6?
WHY THIS EXERCISE1/3 = 2/6, and 3/6 is the same as 1/2.
Try it
Fold one paper strip in half. Fold a second strip into fourths.
Color 1/2 of the first strip and 2/4 of the second.
Lay them side by side. What do you notice?
Draw two strips the same length. Show that 1/3 = 2/6.

Lovely noticing! Tomorrow we find equivalent fractions on a number line.