What is a fraction?
A fraction is a part of one whole thing. We cut the whole into equal parts (parts that are the same size).
Key idea
Cut a whole into 2 equal parts → one part is one half (½).
Cut a whole into 4 equal parts → one part is one quarter (¼).
Half and quarter
Worked example
Cut one cake into 2 equal parts. Take 1 part. You have ½ of the cake.
Cut one pizza into 4 equal parts. Take 1 part. You have ¼ of the pizza.
½ is bigger than ¼, because when we cut into 2 parts each piece is bigger than when we cut into 4 smaller pieces. We see halves and quarters every day, like half an apple or a quarter of a sandwich.
Remember
- The parts must be equal (the same size).
- 2 halves make 1 whole. 4 quarters make 1 whole.
- More parts means each part is smaller.