Year 1 Handbook
Fractions: halves and quarters
Recognise halves and quarters as equal parts of one whole.
What you are learning
Recognise halves and quarters as equal parts of one whole.
Key idea
A half is one of two equal parts. A quarter is one of four equal parts.
Worked example
Find one quarter
1 whole ÷ 4 = 1 quarter
- Share the whole into 4 equal parts.
- Each equal part is one quarter.
- One of those parts is written as 1/4.
Four equal quarters make one whole.
Another way
Fold or share
Fold a paper shape in half, then fold it in half again. The four equal regions show quarters.
Why this works
The bottom number tells how many equal parts make the whole; the top number tells how many of those parts we are using.
Common mistake
Remember
Equal parts make fair fractions.
Vocabulary
- whole
- One complete object or amount.
- half
- One of two equal parts.
- quarter
- One of four equal parts.
- equal parts
- Parts that are the same size.
Try one
Have a go before revealing the answer. These are optional learning checks: they are not scored and do not change your practice record.
How many quarters make one whole?
Is one of two equal parts a half?