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Use knowledge of unit fractions to find one whole

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can use my knowledge of unit fractions to find one whole.

Key learning points

  1. When the numerator and denominator have the same value, the fraction is equal to one whole.
  2. If the numerator is less than the denominator, the fraction is less than one whole.
  3. Fractions that have numerators and denominators with the same values are also equal to each other.

Keywords

  • Denominator - A denominator is the bottom number written in a fraction.

  • Numerator - A numerator is the top number written in a fraction.

  • Whole - All of something. All of a group or number.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that fractions with a higher value numerator are larger in size.

Show pupils images where fractions with the same numerators and denominators are equal in size (e.g. nine-ninths is equal to three-thirds).

Teacher tip

Pupils explore fractions that are equal to one whole or 1 Number lines combined with images representing fractions can help them make sense of this idea. Encourage pupils to count along the number line, seeing that when the numerator has the same value as the denominator, it is equal to 1

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.
Jacob works out the fraction of this shape that is shaded. What would the denominator be?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 8, eight

Q2.
Jacob works out the fraction of this shape this is shaded. What would the numerator be?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 5, five

Q3.
What fraction of this shape is shaded?

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

Q4.
What fraction of the pizza has been eaten?

An image in a quiz
$$ \frac{4}{7} $$
$$ \frac{3}{7} $$
Correct answer: $$ \frac{3}{10} $$

Q5.
What fraction of pandas are wearing hats?

An image in a quiz
$$ \frac{3}{7} $$
$$ \frac{2}{5} $$
Correct answer: $$ \frac{3}{5} $$

Q6.
What fraction of pandas wearing hats are sat on boxes?

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

6 Questions

Q1.
Six-sixths is equal to…

An image in a quiz
one-quarter
one-half
Correct answer: 1 whole

Q2.
Which symbol would make this correct?

An image in a quiz
>
Correct answer: <
=

Q3.
What is the missing numerator?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 7, seven

Q4.
What is the missing denominator?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 12, twelve

Q5.
Which denominators could make this correct?

An image in a quiz
4
5
Correct answer: 6
Correct answer: 7

Q6.
Which numerator could make this correct?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 1
Correct answer: 2
Correct answer: 3
4

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