Topics
4. Fractions
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AustraliaNSW
Stage 3

4.02 Name and identify fractions

Lesson
Practice
Lesson

Are you ready?

In previous years we have practiced  identifying fractions from fraction bars  . Let's practice this concept.

Examples

Example 1

Here is a fraction bar.

A fraction bar divided into 5 equal parts.

Complete the statements below.

a

This fraction bar has ⬚ equal parts.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Count the number of smaller squares that make up the whole bar.

Apply the idea
A fraction bar divided into 5 equal parts. One part is shaded.

Here is one part. There are 5 pieces of this size in the whole.

This fraction bar has 5 equal parts.

b

Each part is \dfrac{⬚}{⬚} of the whole.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Each part looks like this:

A fraction bar divided into 5 equal parts. One part is shaded.

We can write this fraction as:

A fraction with parts explained. Ask your teacher for more information.
Apply the idea

Each part is \dfrac{1}{5} of the whole.

Idea summary

When writing fractions from fraction bars:

A fraction with parts explained. Ask your teacher for more information.

Fraction bars

This video shows how to name fractions from fraction bars.

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Examples

Example 2

Below is a fraction bar.

A fraction bar divided into 3 equal parts with 1 shaded part.

What is the fraction of the coloured piece?

A
\dfrac{2}{3}
B
\dfrac{3}{4}
C
\dfrac{1}{4}
D
\dfrac{1}{3}
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Write the fraction as: \,\, \dfrac{\text{Number of shaded parts}}{\text{Total number of parts}}.

Apply the idea

There is 1 shaded part and 3 total parts in the fraction bar. So the fraction is \dfrac{1}{3}.

The correct option is D.

Idea summary

When writing fractions using fraction bars:

  • The denominator (bottom number) shows the number of equal parts the whole is divided into.
  • The numerator (top number) shows how many parts are shaded.

Fractions of shapes

This video shows how to name fractions from area models.

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Examples

Example 3

Which of the following shows \dfrac{3}{4} of the area shaded?

A
A square divided into 4 equal parts. 1 part is shaded.
B
A circle divided into 4 equal parts. 3 parts are shaded.
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

The top part of the fraction (numerator) tells us how many parts of the shape should be shaded. The bottom part of the fraction (denominator) tells us how many parts to divide the shape up into.

Apply the idea

The fraction \dfrac{3}{4} is asking for three parts of the shape to be shaded. So 3 out of 4 parts should be shaded. This means that the correct answer is Option B.

Idea summary

The denominator (bottom number) is the number of equal parts the shape is divided into.

The numerator (top number) is the number of parts shaded to represent the fraction.

Outcomes

MA3-7NA

compares, orders and calculates with fractions, decimals and percentages

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