Lesson 4
Equivalent Fractions
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/0/4/20043941/2294651.jpg)
Equivalent fractions are two or more fractions that represent the same thing. The easiest example to use is 1/2.
Look at the bowls to the left. Using what we have already learned about fractions as part of a group, we know that the denominator will be 6 because there are 6 total bowls. 3 of the 6 bowls are blue. So the fraction of blue bowls is 3/6.
But wait! I bet when you first looked at this picture you might have said to yourself, "Self, half the bowls are blue." You would still be correct! That is because 3/6 is equivalent to 1/2. They are two different ways of writing the same fraction.
Look at the bowls to the left. Using what we have already learned about fractions as part of a group, we know that the denominator will be 6 because there are 6 total bowls. 3 of the 6 bowls are blue. So the fraction of blue bowls is 3/6.
But wait! I bet when you first looked at this picture you might have said to yourself, "Self, half the bowls are blue." You would still be correct! That is because 3/6 is equivalent to 1/2. They are two different ways of writing the same fraction.
Pay close attention to the following video. The teacher will use pictures and numbers to describe what equivalent fractions are and how to find equivalent fractions.
Do you remember what the teacher in the video said about multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number to get an equivalent fraction? Click the Study Jams link below to review it one more time.
Instructions: Click the green "step by step" button when you get to the Study Jams page. The buttons will flash to tell you what to click next. After you get to the answer, close the window, you do not need to look at the other sections of the page.
Study Jams
Instructions: Click the green "step by step" button when you get to the Study Jams page. The buttons will flash to tell you what to click next. After you get to the answer, close the window, you do not need to look at the other sections of the page.
Study Jams
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/0/4/20043941/3866634.gif?146)
Here's a quick check to see if you've been paying attention. Which of the following fractions is equivalent to 1/3? Record your answer on your work sheet.
Which fraction did you pick? Let's work through it. You are starting with 1/3. You want the equivalent fraction. You know that you had to multiply 2 times 3 in the denominator to get 6. That means you have to multiply the numerator, which is 1, by 2 as well. 2 x 1 = 2. Therefore, 2/6 is the equivalent fraction to 1/3.
Practice:
The following two links will take you to games to practice what you've learned about equivalent fractions.
Instructions: Click on the link to Fraction BINGO below, select "Easy" and click go. Play the game a few times on easy mode until you are sure you're an equivalent fraction expert. Then try the next game!
Fraction BINGO
Instructions: Click the link to Fraction Dolphins below. Click where it says "Click here to play this game." Then click feed the dolphins. Match the fraction on the food bucket to the equivalent fraction on one of the dolphins. Click the dolphin to feed it. When you've gone through all 3 rounds, close the window to come back to this page.
Fraction Dolphins
Instructions: Click on the link to Fraction BINGO below, select "Easy" and click go. Play the game a few times on easy mode until you are sure you're an equivalent fraction expert. Then try the next game!
Fraction BINGO
Instructions: Click the link to Fraction Dolphins below. Click where it says "Click here to play this game." Then click feed the dolphins. Match the fraction on the food bucket to the equivalent fraction on one of the dolphins. Click the dolphin to feed it. When you've gone through all 3 rounds, close the window to come back to this page.
Fraction Dolphins