One third of 12
12 counters shared into 3 equal groups gives 4 in each group.
12 shared into 3 equal groups
One of the three equal groups is one third, so of 12 is 4.
Year 2
Recognise, find, name and write fractions , , and of a length, shape, set of objects or quantity
Recognise thirds and quarters and find them in shapes, lengths and small sets by sharing into equal parts.
Lesson overview
Number - fractions
A fraction describes equal parts of a whole. Thirds mean three equal parts. Quarters mean four equal parts. When we find a fraction of a set or quantity, we share it into equal groups first and then count the part we need.
One quarter of a shape
A square split into 4 equal parts has quarters.
one quarter
one quarter
one quarter
one quarter
Each part is the same size, so each part is one quarter.
Three quarters of 8
8 shared into 4 equal groups gives 2 in each quarter.
part of the whole
part of the whole
part of the whole
part of the whole
Three quarters means three of the four equal parts, so 2 + 2 + 2 = 6.
Worked example
Find of 12.
equal part
equal part
equal part
equal part
- Share 12 into 4 equal groups.
- Each quarter is 3.
- Two quarters means take 2 of the equal parts.
- 3 + 3 = 6, so of 12 is 6.
Try it
Look at the equal parts first, then choose or write the fraction amount.
Question 1
What is of 8?
Question 2
What is of 12?
Question 3
Which fraction means three out of four equal parts?
Question 4
What is of 8?
Question 5
Which sentence is correct?
Common mistakes
Watch for these when finding thirds and quarters.
- Choosing parts that are not equal and still calling them fractions.
- Counting the whole set again instead of just the fraction part.
- Forgetting that three quarters means three of the four equal parts.
Related topics
These ideas fit closely with early fraction understanding.
- Write simple fractions such as of 6 = 3 and recognise the equivalence of and .
- Use place value and number facts to solve problems.