Grade 5 maths: make sense of fractions
Fractions describe equal parts of a whole. Draw the whole first, then compare parts of the same size. This page practises equivalence, comparison and addition.
Equivalent fractions show the same amount
Shade one half of a rectangle. Divide each half into two equal pieces: the same shaded area is now two quarters. That is why 1/2 = 2/4.
Multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same nonzero number keeps the fraction equivalent. For example, 2/3 = 4/6. The number of pieces changes; the amount does not.
Compare before calculating
When denominators match, each piece has the same size: 5/8 is greater than 3/8 because it contains more eighths. When numerators match, a larger denominator means smaller equal pieces.
For 2/7 + 3/7, count seventh-sized pieces: two plus three is five, so the sum is 5/7. The denominator stays 7 because the piece size did not change.
Try the questions
No timer, account or saved answers. Choose an option to see an explanation.
Printable practice
Write your answer and explain your thinking. Answers appear on a separate printed page.
- Which fraction equals 2/3?
2/6 · 4/6 · 3/4
- What is 2/7 + 3/7?
5/14 · 6/7 · 5/7
- Which is greater?
3/8 · 5/8 · They are equal
Answer key and explanations
- 4/6 — Multiply the numerator and denominator by 2: 2/3 = 4/6.
- 5/7 — Two sevenths plus three sevenths gives five sevenths.
- 5/8 — Both use eighths. Five eighths contains more equal-sized parts than three eighths.