Fraction Classroom · 2.0.0 · Student pages

Share one fractional amount equally

Split a unit fraction among a whole number of people and keep each share tied to the original whole.

Anonymous group code: __________ Date: __________

Quick diagnosis

Try all three. Explain with words, a sketch, or objects.

d1. One half of a sandwich is shared equally by 3 people. Does each person receive more or less than half a sandwich?

d2. A student writes 1/4 ÷ 2 = 2/4. Explain why this cannot describe equal sharing.

d3. One third of a strip is shared among 4 people. A student calls each share 1/4. Of which whole is that true, and what fraction of the original strip is each share?

Worked examples

Study the example that matches the difficulty. Keep the other for a second session.

w1. Share 1/3 meter of ribbon equally among 4 people. How much does each receive?

Draw one meter and divide it into three equal parts.
Only one third is available; split it into four equal shares.
Imagine the same four-way split in each third: twelve equal pieces fill one meter.
Each share is 1/12 meter; four shares make 4/12 = 1/3 meter.

Worked example: 1/12 meter per person.

w2. One fifth of a pan of cornbread is shared equally between 2 people. Write an equation and a multiplication check.

Label the full pan as one whole and identify one fifth.
Cut that fifth into two equal pieces.
Each fifth could hold two such pieces, so ten fit in the original pan.
Give one piece to each person and check the two tenths equal one fifth.

Worked example: 1/5 ÷ 2 = 1/10 pan; 2 × 1/10 = 1/5.

Practice

For a short session, choose three tasks. Use the others for a second try or follow-up.

p1. Share 1/2 liter of juice equally into 4 cups. How much goes in each cup?

p2. Find 1/6 ÷ 3 and explain how many equal shares of that size fit in the original whole.

p3. A student shares 1/4 of a pie among 3 people and gives each 1/12 of the pie. Verify the answer without repeating a division rule.

p4. Which gives a larger share: 1/3 ÷ 2 or 1/3 ÷ 5? Explain before calculating.

p5. One eighth of a cake is given to one person. Write the division and result.

p6. Make a story for 1/5 ÷ 3. Include the available amount, number of equal shares, and amount in one share.

Transfer check

Try one independently. Save the other for a later check.

t1. One quarter kilogram of clay is shared equally among 6 students. Explain the amount per student with a diagram description and a multiplication check.

t2. A group has 1/3 liter of paint. Three people will share it equally. Another group has 3 liters and fills 1/3-liter jars. Explain which situation is 1/3 ÷ 3 and solve only that one.