Teaching Mathematics to Elementary Students

Teaching

Mathematics to

Elementary Students

Equivalent Fractions

Finding Equivalent Fractions

Prerequisite Skills

The students must first know

The concepts of the components of a fraction : the numerator and denominator composed the fraction . The number above is called the numerator and the number below refers to the denominator . For example , the number above the line is the numerator and the number below is the denominator . It is read as one half or one divided by two , or one over two

How to do basic mathematical operations : addition , subtraction

multiplication and division . This is of big help for the students to better understand and find the equivalent fractions where these basic mathematical operations are commonly used

Fraction operations : addition , subtraction , multiplication , and division of fractions of the same denominator are usually taught first . The students must first know how to use these operations involved in fractions

For additional background , the students must know the concept about decimal places

Finding Equivalent Fractions

Two fractions with different numerator and denominator can be equal that is , if you divide or multiply one of them by a number , called the multiplier , the result will be the same fraction . For example , lets consider the fractions 1 /2 and 2 /4 . The two fractions look different from each other or they might be no similarities between the two given examples . But dividing 2 /4 , both the numerator and the denominator by 2 , the result will be1 /2 which is the same to the other fraction . These two fractions are still of the same value and are called equivalent fractions . Another example to show equivalent fraction is to show 3 /6 is equivalent to 1 /2 . Dividing the numerator and denominator of the fraction 3 /6 by a non-zero number , which is the number 3 , the result will be 1 /2 . Equivalent fractions can be easy to find when the denominators of the fractions are the same . But if the denominators are not equal , it would be a different case

Make an activity for the students to further understand the concept of equivalent fractions . Have them in their hands a rectangular Tell them to fold that into two equal parts . With the use of any coloring material , tell them to color one of the two equal parts made by folding the . Then ask them what part of the is colored which is 1 /2 . Tell them to do the same again , from the first fold tell them to fold the again into two equal parts . Ask them now how many equal parts are there , which is 4 . Then ask them how many of those parts are colored , the answer is 2 /4 . Then introduce the concept of equivalent fractions , on the first fold , 1 /2 of the is colored on the second fold , 2 /4 , but there are of the same size , which implies that the two folds are of equal value

Steps in Finding Equivalent Fractions

Given a single fraction or fractions...