New

Identify non-unit fractions

I can identify non-unit fractions.

Download all

View unit

Lesson 2 of 10

New

Year 3

Identify non-unit fractions

I can identify non-unit fractions.

Download all

Lesson slides

Download lesson slides

Skip lesson slides

Lesson details

Key learning points

A non-unit fraction has a numerator greater than 1; it is composed of more than one unit fraction.
We say, 'the whole has been divided into ___ equal parts, and I have ___ of them'.
When writing fractions, the numerator is the top number showing the number of equal parts we have.
The denominator is the bottom number showing the number of equal parts the whole has been divided into.

Keywords

Division bar - The division bar is the horizontal line separating the two values in a fraction.
Denominator - A denominator is the bottom number in a fraction.
Numerator - A numerator is the top number in a fraction.

Common misconception

Pupils may count the number of equal parts that are shaded and write the numerator and then count the number that are not shaded and write the denominator.

Ensure that pupils count all of the equal parts to find the denominator. The denominator is the number of equal parts that make up whole. We encourage children to find, and then describe, the denominator before the numerator.

In this lesson, pupils explore non-unit fractions, writing these in fraction notation. They should use the terms denominator and numerator correctly. Explore the language of 'whole' and 'parts' with the pupils. Explain that the whole can be a shape, a line or a set of objects.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).