Express Equal Area Parts as Unit Fractions

Supplied materials

• Paper and a pencil; drawing and spoken explanations are welcome. An adult may read directions and options aloud.
• Supplied worked-case record: A region has eighteen equal tiles split into three non-overlapping six-tile shares.
• All quantities and shape descriptions are supplied in the worked example and questions; no purchase or personal information is needed.

Learn the idea

A unit fraction names one equal share of a whole. Its denominator counts the equal shares covering the whole. Equal shares may have different outlines if their areas match. Use a supplied equal-square grid to check that every share covers the same number of tiles.

Count the supplied whole’s equal tiles and the tiles in each share. Determine how many equal shares cover the whole, then write one share as one over that count. Check all shares together account for every tile once.

Count how many equal shares cover the whole. The denominator is the share count, not the number of tiles in one share. Label one whole outline, then pattern each equal-area share separately.

1. Label one whole outline, then pattern each equal-area share separately.
2. Follow the worked example. Point to each number or shape feature and say what it tells you.
3. Count the supplied whole’s equal tiles and the tiles in each share.
4. Try the question and then the three practice questions. Check your answers and explain any change you make.

Check your reasoning

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Take it further

Twenty-four tiles in eight equal three-tile shares: expected one share is 1/8.

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