Grade 1
  1. Numbers and Counting  1.1. Counting to 10  1.2. Counting to 20  1.3. Counting to 50  1.4. Counting to 100  1.5. Writing Numbers 1 to 10  1.6. Writing Numbers 1 to 20  1.7. Writing Numbers 1 to 50  1.8. Writing Numbers 1 to 100  1.9. Reading Numbers 1 to 10  1.10. Reading Numbers 1 to 20  1.11. Reading Numbers 1 to 50  1.12. Reading Numbers 1 to 100  1.13. Comparing Numbers  1.14. Ordering Numbers  1.15. Odd and Even Numbers  1.16. Number Patterns  1.17. Skip Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s  1.18. Understanding Zero
  2. Basic Addition and Subtraction  2.1. Understanding Addition  2.2. Addition Facts within 10  2.3. Addition Facts within 20  2.4. Adding Zero  2.5. Adding One More  2.6. Adding Two More  2.7. Adding Three More  2.8. Adding Using Pictures  2.9. Addition Word Problems  2.10. Understanding Subtraction  2.11. Subtraction Facts within 10  2.12. Subtraction Facts within 20  2.13. Subtracting Zero  2.14. Subtracting One  2.15. Subtracting Two  2.16. Subtraction Using Pictures  2.17. Subtraction Word Problems  2.18. Introduction to Doubles Facts  2.19. Introduction to Making 10
  3. Place Value and Number Sense  3.1. Understanding Tens and Ones  3.2. Counting by Tens  3.3. Place Value within 20  3.4. Place Value within 50  3.5. Place Value within 100  3.6. Reading and Writing Two-Digit Numbers  3.7. Comparing Two-Digit Numbers  3.8. Decomposing Numbers
  4. Measurement  4.1. Length  4.1.1. Comparing Lengths  4.1.2. Measuring with Non-Standard Units  4.1.3. Using Standard Units (Inches and Centimeters) in Length  4.2. Weight  4.2.1. Comparing Weights  4.2.2. Heavy and Light Objects  4.2.3. Introduction to Grams and Pounds  4.3. Capacity  4.3.1. Comparing Capacity  4.3.2. Full and Empty  4.3.3. Introduction to Liters and Milliliters  4.4. Time  4.4.1. Telling Time to the Hour  4.4.2. Telling Time to the Half Hour  4.4.3. Days of the Week  4.4.4. Months of the Year  4.4.5. Understanding Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow  4.5. Money  4.5.1. Recognizing Coins  4.5.2. Counting Coins  4.5.3. Introduction to Dollar and Cents Symbols  4.5.4. Simple Addition and Subtraction with Money
  5. Geometry  5.1. 2D Shapes  5.1.1. Recognizing 2D Shapes  5.1.2. Drawing 2D Shapes  5.1.3. Naming 2D Shapes  5.1.4. Properties of 2D Shapes  5.1.5. Sorting 2D Shapes  5.1.6. Composing Simple Shapes  5.2. 3D Shapes  5.2.1. Recognizing 3D Shapes  5.2.2. Naming 3D Shapes  5.2.3. Properties of 3D Shapes  5.2.4. Sorting 3D Shapes  5.3. Position and Direction  5.3.1. Left and Right  5.3.2. Above and Below  5.3.3. Inside and Outside  5.3.4. Near and Far  5.3.5. In Front and Behind
  6. Patterns and Sorting  6.1. Recognizing Patterns  6.2. Extending Patterns  6.3. Creating Patterns  6.4. Sorting by Color  6.5. Sorting by Shape  6.6. Sorting by Size
  7. Data and Graphing  7.1. Introduction to Data  7.2. Collecting Data  7.3. Tally Marks  7.4. Bar Graphs  7.5. Picture Graphs  7.6. Interpreting Simple Graphs
  8. Fractions  8.1. Understanding Halves  8.2. Understanding Fourths  8.3. Dividing Shapes into Equal Parts  8.4. Identifying Equal and Unequal Parts

Grade 1 → Fractions ↓


Identifying Equal and Unequal Parts


In Class 1 Maths, we explore the basic idea of fractions by understanding equal and unequal parts. Fractions represent how a whole is divided into parts. Let's try to understand this concept step-by-step!

When we talk about fractions, we're talking about dividing something into smaller pieces. The main thing to understand is whether these divisions are equal or unequal. Equal parts mean that each piece is the same size, while unequal parts mean that the pieces are different sizes.

Visualizing equal parts

Imagine you have a delicious pizza. Someone cuts the pizza and you want to share it with your friend. How would you divide it so that everyone gets the same amount?

This pizza is divided into equal portions.

Here, the whole pizza is divided into 2 equal parts. We can call each part one-half of the pizza. It is written as:

1/2

Uneven parts

Now, consider what happens if we cut the pizza into pieces that are not the same size:

The slices look as follows:

Here, the sizes are different - unequal parts.

In this case, one part is larger than the other, so we can't say they are halves. They are unequal parts, and fractions need equal parts to be truly meaningful.

Understanding the different shapes

Rectangle example

Let's look at a rectangle. How can we divide a rectangle into equal and unequal parts?

If a rectangle is divided into two longer rectangles of the same size, it will look like this:

A rectangle with equal parts.

This is an equal division where each piece is 1/2 of the whole.

However, if we cut the rectangle into pieces like this:

Rectangle with unequal parts.

The two parts are not equal; hence they do not represent fractions like 1/2, 1/3 etc.

Circle - a popular shape in fractions

Circles are commonly used to teach fractions because they are easy to visualize. Let's say you have a circle to divide.

Dividing a circle into equal parts

Consider a circle divided into three parts:

The circle is divided equally into three parts.

We call each part one-third. It is represented as follows:

1/3

Uneven division of a circle

Suppose the circle is cut into three parts of different sizes:

Divide the circle into unequal parts.

Here, the parts are unequal, so we cannot define each as a fraction of 1/3. Fractions must always represent equal divisions.

More everyday examples

Sharing a chocolate bar

Imagine a chocolate bar with ten small pieces. If you divide it equally between two people, each one will get:

Five sections per person:

The chocolate bar was divided into equal parts.

Each person will get 1/2 of the chocolate.

Splitting the sandwich

If you have a sandwich and you cut it into four equal parts, each part represents the following:

1/4

It looks something like this:

The sandwich was divided equally into four portions.

Why it's important to understand equal and unequal fractions

Knowing the difference between equal and unequal parts is very important because fractions should represent proper portions. This helps us compare quantities and understand them in a meaningful way, whether dividing food, sharing toys, or learning more complex math concepts later.

When each part of a whole has the same value, it's easy to see how much each person or part gets, which is the essence of understanding and working with fractions.

Practicing with equal and unequal parts

To better understand this concept, practice making equal and unequal parts from different objects at home, such as drawing circles, dividing fruit, or arranging books. Whenever fractions are used, make sure to divide equally!

Use paper strips, cutouts, or online tools to help you see these concepts more clearly. It's all about looking at different divisions and experimenting with them to get a solid understanding of what equal and unequal divisions look like.

Conclusion

Identifying equal and unequal parts in objects lays the foundation for understanding fractions. Always remember, fractions have equal parts, making it easier to share and conceptualize parts of a whole. Start identifying these parts in your everyday life, and learning about fractions will become more intuitive and fun!


Grade 1 → 8.4


U
username
0%
completed in Grade 1

← Prev (8.3)
Dividing Shapes into Equal Parts

Comments 



Identifying Equal and Unequal Parts

https://www.buddymath.com/g1/8.4?bmal=en