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      Identifying equal parts in a whole in different contexts

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify the number of equal or unequal parts in a whole in different contexts.

      Key learning points

      1. A non-unit fraction labels more than one out of the number of equal parts in the whole.
      2. A fraction is made from equal parts of the whole.
      3. Parts can be different shapes and still be the same size.
      4. When counting different objects that make a whole, the objects can be of unequal size.

      Keywords

      • Equal - Equal means exactly the same amount or value.

      • Unequal - Unequal means not exactly the same amount or value.

      Common misconception

      Pupils may find the concept of different shapes (and sizes, for number of objects) a little confusing.

      Show pupils images where parts are different shapes (area fractions - parts of a whole shape) but can easily be seen to be the same size.

      Teacher tip

      In this lesson, pupils will look at equal and unequal parts of a whole. Pupils will have experience of differentiating between finding the fraction of the area of a shape and the fractions of a number of objects.

      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).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the denominator of the fraction shaded?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 6, six

      Q2.
      What is the numerator of the fraction shaded?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 5, five

      Q3.
      What fraction of the shape is shaded?

      An image in a quiz
      $$ \frac{4}{8} $$
      Correct answer: $$ \frac{4}{7} $$
      $$ \frac{3}{6} $$

      Q4.
      What fraction of the shape is shaded?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: $$ \frac{3}{6} $$
      $$ \frac{1}{4} $$
      $$ \frac{2}{5} $$

      Q5.
      Jacob shades $$ \frac{5}{8} $$ of the stars. How many stars are left unshaded?

      An image in a quiz
      $$ \frac{3}{6} $$
      $$ \frac{4}{8} $$
      Correct answer: $$ \frac{3}{8} $$
      $$ \frac{3}{5} $$

      Q6.
      Sofia shades $$ \frac{5}{9} $$ of the shape yellow and $$ \frac{2}{9} $$ green. The rest she shades red. How many parts does she shade red?

      An image in a quiz
      1
      Correct answer: 2
      3

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these sentences is correct?

      An image in a quiz
      four-eighths are shaded
      Correct answer: five-ninths are shaded
      the parts ae unequal

      Q2.
      Which of these sentences is correct?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: four-sevenths are shaded
      three-quarters are shaded
      the parts are unequal

      Q3.
      Which of these statements are true?

      An image in a quiz
      There are eight equal parts
      Five parts have been shaded
      Correct answer: $$ \frac{6}{10} $$ is shaded
      Correct answer: One part represents one-tenth

      Q4.
      What fraction of frogs are on the lily pad?

      An image in a quiz
      $$ \frac{6}{7} $$
      $$ \frac{5}{8} $$
      $$ \frac{6}{10} $$
      Correct answer: $$ \frac{5}{7} $$

      Q5.
      True of false? $$ \frac{4}{7} $$ of the shape is shaded.

      An image in a quiz
      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q6.
      Jacob works out the fraction of shapes that have an odd number of sides. What would the numerator of his fraction be?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 4, four

      To help you plan your 3 maths lesson on: Identifying equal parts in a whole in different contexts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...