5.

Equivalent Fractions
Equivalence is a concept that is easy to understand when a fraction wall is used.

As you can see, each row has been split into different fractions: top row into 2 halves, bottom row 12 twelfths. An
equivalent fraction splits the row at the same place. Therefore:

1 2 3 4 5 6
= = = = =
2 4 6 8 10 12

The more pieces I split the row into (denominator), the more pieces I will need (numerator).

Mathematically, whatever I do to the numerator (multiply or divide), I must also do to the denominator and vice
2
versa, whatever I do to the denominator I must do to the numerator. Take as an example. If I multiply the
3
numerator by 4, then I must multiply the denominator by 4 to create an equivalent fraction:
2 × 4 8
=
3 × 4 12

Example problems: Use what you have understood about equivalent fractions to find the missing values in these
fraction pairs.
3
1. = Answer: The denominator was multiplied by 4. (20 ÷5 =4)
5 20
3×4 12
So the numerator must by multiplied by 4. ∴ 5×4
=
20
27 9
2. = Answer: The numerator was divided by 3. (27 ÷9 =3)
81
27÷3 9
So the denominator must be divided by 3. ∴ 81 =
÷3 27

5. Your Turn:

2
a) =
3 9
Return to Your Turn Activity 4.
5 45
b) =
7
e) What fraction of the large square has dots?
9
c) = 30
10 f) What fraction of the large square has horizontal
4
d) = lines?
52 13

Watch this short Khan Academy video for further explanation:

“Equivalent fractions”
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/fractions/Equivalent_fractions/v/equivalent-fractions

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