Quarters for children

Quick answer

A quarter means one of four equal parts. You can find quarters of shapes, sets of objects, or amounts of money or time.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to split shapes, sets of objects, or amounts into four equal parts and understand that each part is a quarter.

• I can show one quarter of a shape by drawing or cutting it
• I can find one quarter of a set of objects by sharing them into four equal groups
• I can use the fraction symbol 1/4 to write a quarter
• I can explain when something is split into quarters

Why this matters

Fractions are used everywhere in daily life. When you share a pizza with friends, split a cake for a party, or divide your pocket money, you're using quarters. Understanding quarters helps you understand bigger fractions later, like halves and thirds. Knowing how to split things fairly is a superpower!

How it works

To find a quarter, you need to:

1. Split something into four equal parts
2. Each part is one quarter
3. You can write one quarter as 1/4

Think of it like sharing with three friends – you all get the same amount, so it's split into four parts.

Examples you can see

Let's look at different ways to find quarters:

1. Quarters of Shapes

Imagine you have a square piece of paper. To find a quarter:

• First, fold the square in half
• Then, fold it in half again
• You now have four equal pieces
• One piece is one quarter

You can also draw lines to make four equal parts. Each part is 1/4 of the whole shape.

2. Quarters of Sets

If you have 12 crayons and want to find one quarter:

• Share them into four equal groups
• Each group has 3 crayons
• So one quarter of 12 crayons is 3 crayons

You can also do this with counters, toys, or sweets.

3. Quarters of Amounts

Think of a 1-hour video. One quarter of an hour is 15 minutes:

• 60 minutes ÷ 4 = 15 minutes
• So 1/4 of an hour is 15 minutes

Or if you have £1, one quarter is 25 pence:

• £1 = 100 pence
• 100 pence ÷ 4 = 25 pence
• So 1/4 of £1 is 25 pence

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Quarter Quest

You are a treasure hunter, and you found a map that shows a treasure buried in four equal parts of a field. You must split the field into quarters to find the treasure!

Step 1: You have a square field. How do you split it into four equal parts?

Step 2: You found one quarter of the field and discovered a golden coin. How many coins are in the whole field?

Step 3: You have 16 gold coins. You want to share them equally among four friends. How many coins does each friend get?

Step 4: You found a box of 20 chocolates. You want to give one quarter to your sister. How many chocolates is that?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking the parts don't have to be equal to be quarters.
• Why it happens: Children sometimes see shapes split in different ways and think they're quarters.
• Fix: Always check that all four parts are exactly the same size.

• Mistake: Writing 1/4 as 4/1.
• Why it happens: Confusing the numerator and denominator.
• Fix: Remember the top number (numerator) is how many parts you have, and the bottom number (denominator) is how many parts the whole is split into.

• Mistake: Not knowing that 1/4 means one out of four equal parts.
• Why it happens: Mixing up fractions with division or multiplication.
• Fix: Practice sharing objects into four equal groups and counting how many are in each group.

Parent and carer guide

Help your child understand quarters by:

1. Using everyday objects like fruit, snacks, or toys to share into four equal parts
2. Practising writing 1/4
3. Asking questions like "If you have 8 cookies and want to share them with 3 friends, how many cookies does each person get?" (This helps with understanding quarters)
4. Looking for quarters in real life: clocks, pizzas, cakes, and maps
5. Reassuring them that it's okay to make mistakes – they're part of learning

Try this simple activity: Give your child 12 counters and ask them to split them into four equal groups. Then, ask how many are in each group. This helps them see that 1/4 of 12 is 3.

Practice questions

1. What is one quarter of 8 apples?
2. How many quarters make a whole shape?
3. Write one quarter as a fraction.
4. If you have 16 stickers and give 1/4 to your friend, how many stickers do you give?
5. How many minutes are in one quarter of an hour?

Answers:

1. 2 apples
2. 4 quarters
3. 1/4
4. 4 stickers
5. 15 minutes

FAQ

What does "quarter" mean?

A quarter means one of four equal parts. If you split something into four equal parts, each part is a quarter.

How do I write a quarter?

You write a quarter as 1/4. The 1 means one part, and the 4 means four equal parts.

Can I find quarters of anything?

Yes! You can find quarters of shapes, sets of objects, amounts of money, time, or even distances.

What is the difference between a quarter and a half?

A half means two equal parts, while a quarter means four equal parts. So a quarter is smaller than a half.

How can I practice quarters at home?

You can practice by sharing food, counting objects into groups of four, or using clocks to find 15-minute intervals.