Where is fractions hiding in LEGO Games fraction builds?
Build plates where half or a quarter is one colour.
Quick answer
Fractions are hiding in LEGO Games builds when you use half or a quarter of a build plate in one colour. For example, if you use 8 bricks on a 16-brick plate and 8 are red, that's half red. If 4 bricks are blue out of 16, that's a quarter blue.
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to identify and describe fractions in LEGO builds using the idea of equal parts of a whole plate.
- You can show half of a LEGO plate using one colour.
- You can show a quarter of a LEGO plate using one colour.
- You can count how many bricks are in each part of a plate.
- You can talk about your LEGO builds using words like "half" and "quarter".
Why this matters
Fractions help you understand how parts make up a whole. In LEGO Games, you can see this clearly when you build with plates. You can make a pattern with half one colour and half another. This helps you learn about sharing, equal parts, and how to describe what you see. Fractions are used in cooking, art, sports, and even in games you play!
How it works
LEGO plates are great for learning fractions because they are made of equal bricks. When you split a plate into equal parts, you can use one part for one colour and another part for another colour. This shows a fraction.
- Choose a LEGO plate with a certain number of bricks.
- Split the plate into equal parts (like two halves or four quarters).
- Use one part for one colour.
- Use another part for another colour.
- Count how many bricks are in each part.
Examples you can see
Let’s imagine a LEGO plate that has 16 bricks. If you split it into 2 equal parts, each part has 8 bricks. So, 8 out of 16 bricks is half the plate.
| Bricks | Colour | Amount | Fraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Red | 8 | 8/16 = 1/2 |
| 16 | Blue | 8 | 8/16 = 1/2 |
Now, let’s split the same plate into 4 equal parts. Each part has 4 bricks. So, 4 out of 16 bricks is a quarter of the plate.
| Bricks | Colour | Amount | Fraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Green | 4 | 4/16 = 1/4 |
| 16 | Yellow | 4 | 4/16 = 1/4 |
| 16 | Orange | 4 | 4/16 = 1/4 |
| 16 | Purple | 4 | 4/16 = 1/4 |
Try it as a mini adventure
Let’s go on a LEGO fraction adventure! You are a builder in a LEGO city. You need to make a flag that shows a fraction. You have a plate with 12 bricks.
1st time: Use 6 bricks for red and 6 for blue. What fraction is red?
2nd time: Use 3 bricks for green and 9 for yellow. What fraction is green?
3rd time: Use 4 bricks for pink and 8 for black. What fraction is pink?
4th time: Try making a flag with 16 bricks. Use 8 for purple and 8 for white. What fraction is purple?
Can you make a pattern with half one colour and a quarter another colour? Draw your flag and write the fractions!
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that 3 out of 12 bricks is a quarter.
Why it happens: Not knowing that 12 ÷ 4 = 3.
Fix: Count by 4s: 4, 8, 12. So, 3 bricks is not a quarter. - Mistake: Using 5 bricks for red and 7 for blue when the plate has 12 bricks.
Why it happens: Not checking if the parts are equal.
Fix: Split the plate into equal parts first. - Mistake: Saying "half" when you have 7 bricks and 5 bricks.
Why it happens: Not realising that 7 and 5 are not equal.
Fix: Make sure both parts have the same number of bricks.
Parent and carer guide
Help your child understand fractions using LEGO plates. Start with small plates, like 8 bricks, and ask them to split them into halves or quarters. Encourage them to count the bricks and talk about what they see. You can also use LEGO bricks to make a pattern and ask questions like:
- How many bricks are in each part?
- What fraction is red?
- Can you make a flag with half one colour and a quarter another?
Don’t worry if they get it wrong at first. Mistakes are part of learning. Ask them to explain how they counted or split the bricks. This helps them think more carefully.
Practice questions
- How many bricks are in half of a 10-brick plate?
- How many bricks are in a quarter of a 12-brick plate?
- If a 16-brick plate has 4 bricks in one colour, what fraction is that?
- How many bricks are in a quarter of a 20-brick plate?
- If a 24-brick plate has 6 bricks in one colour, what fraction is that?
Answers
- 5 bricks
- 3 bricks
- 1/4
- 5 bricks
- 1/4
FAQ
What is a fraction?
A fraction shows how many parts of a whole you have. For example, if you split a plate into 4 parts and 1 part is red, that is 1 out of 4, or 1/4.
Can I use any number of bricks for a fraction?
Yes! As long as you split the plate into equal parts, you can make any fraction. For example, 2 out of 8 bricks is 2/8, which is the same as 1/4.
How do I know if my parts are equal?
Count the bricks in each part. If they are the same number, they are equal. If not, you need to fix your split.
Why do we use fractions?
Fractions help us understand how parts make up a whole. They are used in cooking, sharing, building, and even in games and sports.
Can I use LEGO to learn other maths?
Yes! LEGO is great for learning shapes, counting, patterns, measurement, and even multiplication and division.