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Equivalent fractions practice
Equivalent fractions are different names for the same amount. Half a pizza is the same as two quarters or four eighths: 1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8.
The rule: multiply (or divide) the top and the bottom by the same number. Multiplying both by 3 is the same as multiplying by 3/3, which is 1, so the amount doesn't change.
Worked examples
- Find the missing number in 2/3 = ?/12. The bottom went from 3 to 12, which is times 4, so do the same to the top: 2/3 = 8/12.
- Going down: 10/15 = ?/3. The bottom went from 15 to 3, which is divided by 5, so 10/15 = 2/3.
- Checking: two fractions are equivalent if the cross products match. For 3/4 and 9/12, 3 × 12 = 36 and 4 × 9 = 36.
8 equivalent fractions questions
- 1/2 = ?/10
- 2/3 = ?/9
- 3/5 = ?/20
- 3/4 = ?/16
- 5/6 = ?/12
- 1/4 = ?/12
- 2/5 = ?/15
- 7/8 = ?/24
Show answers
- 1/2 = 5/10
- 2/3 = 6/9
- 3/5 = 12/20
- 3/4 = 12/16
- 5/6 = 10/12
- 1/4 = 3/12
- 2/5 = 6/15
- 7/8 = 21/24
Tips for parents
- Ask "what did the bottom get multiplied by?" first, then do the same to the top.
- Fraction strips or a multiplication chart make the patterns easy to see.
- Practice going both ways: making bigger denominators and simplifying back down.
Questions parents ask
How do you find an equivalent fraction?
Multiply or divide the numerator and the denominator by the same number. For example, multiply both parts of 2/3 by 4 to get 8/12.