Shapes can be split into 2, 3, or 4 equal parts — each part has a fraction name!
When we split a whole shape into EQUAL parts, we use fraction names. Two equal parts = HALVES (1/2 each). Three equal parts = THIRDS (1/3 each). Four equal parts = FOURTHS or QUARTERS (1/4 each). The more equal parts, the smaller each piece becomes!
The same circle split three ways:
More equal parts = smaller pieces. The whole never changes!
Halves (2 parts)
Thirds (3 parts)
Fourths (4 parts)
The bigger the denominator (bottom number), the more parts — and the smaller each part!
Share 1 croissant among 3 friends equally. Cut it into 3 equal parts → THIRDS. Each friend gets 1/3 of the croissant. 3 × (1/3) = 3/3 = 1 whole croissant! 🥐
How to name an equal part:
A chocolate bar is broken into 3 equal pieces. What fraction is each piece?
Remember This!
The BOTTOM number of a fraction tells you how many equal parts the whole was cut into. The TOP number tells you how many of those parts you have.