To find a fraction of a number, share the number into equal groups. To find 1/2 of 12, share 12 into 2 equal groups: each group has 6. To find 1/4 of 12, share it into 4 groups: each has 3.
The bottom number of a fraction tells you how many equal groups. The top number tells you how many groups to take. 3/4 of 12 is 3 groups of 3, which is 9.
Worked example
What is 3/4 of 20?
- Share 20 into 4 equal groups: 20 ÷ 4 = 5.
- Take 3 groups: 3 × 5 = 15.
Answer:15
Key words
- fraction
- a part of a whole, like 1/4
- denominator
- the bottom number: how many equal parts
- numerator
- the top number: how many parts we take
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 2.G.A.3