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Fraction strips activities

Compare and combine fractions visually.

Quick answer

Fraction strips are visual tools that help you compare and combine fractions by showing parts of a whole in a clear, hands-on way.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use fraction strips to compare fractions and add them together. Success signs:
  • You can match fraction strips to show equivalent fractions
  • You can add two fraction strips together to make a whole or a larger fraction
  • You can explain how fraction strips help you understand what fractions mean
  • You can use fraction strips to solve simple fraction problems

Why this matters

Fraction strips help you see and touch fractions, which makes them easier to understand. They're used in many real-life situations like sharing food, measuring ingredients for recipes, or dividing up time. Learning with fraction strips builds the foundation for more advanced maths like adding and subtracting fractions later on.

How it works

Fraction strips are rectangles of the same size that are divided into different numbers of equal parts. Each strip shows one fraction, like halves, thirds, quarters, or fifths. When you line up strips side by side, you can compare how big or small each fraction is. You can also stack or combine strips to add fractions together.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples of how fraction strips work. Example 1: Comparing fractions Imagine you have two fraction strips:
  • One strip is divided into 2 equal parts (halves)
  • Another strip is divided into 4 equal parts (quarters)
If you take one part from each strip, you can see that 1 half is bigger than 1 quarter. You can place the strips side by side to compare them clearly. Example 2: Adding fractions If you have one quarter strip and one quarter strip, you can put them together to make one half. That’s the same as saying:
  • 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2
Example 3: Making equivalent fractions You can show that 2/4 is the same as 1/2 by lining up a 2-piece strip and a 1-piece strip side by side. They take up the same amount of space.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Fraction Bakery You are the head baker at a magical fraction bakery. You need to make the perfect pizza for a party. Each pizza is cut into 8 slices. You have:
  • 3 slices of pepperoni pizza (3/8)
  • 2 slices of cheese pizza (2/8)
  • 1 slice of veggie pizza (1/8)
You want to know how many slices you have in total. Using fraction strips, you can add them up:
  1. Take 3 strips for 3/8
  2. Take 2 strips for 2/8
  3. Take 1 strip for 1/8
  4. Put them all together
You now have 6 strips that are 1/8 each, which equals 6/8 of a pizza. You can simplify this to 3/4 of a pizza. Great job!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 1/3 is the same size as 1/4 because they both have a 1 on top.
    Why it happens: Children often focus only on the top number (numerator) and ignore the bottom number (denominator).
    Fix: Use fraction strips to show that 1/3 takes up more space than 1/4.
  • Mistake: Adding fractions by adding both numerators and denominators separately.
    Why it happens: Confusion about how to add fractions.
    Fix: Use fraction strips to show that you only add the parts, not the whole strips.
  • Mistake: Using strips that are not the same size.
    Why it happens: Not understanding that fraction strips must be the same length.
    Fix: Make sure all strips are the same size before comparing or adding.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can support learning by:
  • Using fraction strips to help children compare fractions visually
  • Letting children create their own fraction strips with paper or manipulatives
  • Encouraging children to explain their thinking when using fraction strips
  • Playing simple fraction games like matching equivalent fractions
  • Using real-world examples like dividing a cake or pizza into equal parts
What to say:
  • "Can you show me how 1/2 looks compared to 1/4?"
  • "How many 1/8 pieces make a whole pizza?"
  • "Let's see if 2/4 and 1/2 are the same size."
What not to worry about:
  • Children might not get all answers right at first – that's normal
  • They might make mistakes, but that’s part of learning
  • Don’t rush to correct them – let them explore and discover

Practice questions

  1. Which is bigger: 1/3 or 1/5? Use fraction strips to show your answer.
  2. What is 2/6 + 1/6? Draw the fraction strips to help you.
  3. If you have 3/8 of a cake and eat 1/8, how much is left?
  4. Can you find two fractions that are equivalent to 1/2 using fraction strips?
  5. What is 1/4 + 2/4? Show your answer with fraction strips.
Answers:
  1. 1/3 is bigger because the strip is divided into fewer parts, so each part is larger.
  2. 2/6 + 1/6 = 3/6
  3. 3/8 - 1/8 = 2/8
  4. 2/4 and 3/6 are both equivalent to 1/2
  5. 1/4 + 2/4 = 3/4

FAQ

What are fraction strips?

Fraction strips are rectangles of the same size divided into different numbers of equal parts. They help you compare and combine fractions.

How can I make fraction strips?

You can draw rectangles and divide them into equal parts, or use paper cut into strips. Each strip should be the same size but divided into different numbers of parts.

Can fraction strips help with adding fractions?

Yes! You can lay fraction strips side by side or stack them to add fractions together.

Are fraction strips only for young children?

No, they can help all ages understand fractions, from early learners to older students.

What if I don’t have fraction strips?

You can make your own with paper, or use online fraction tools and apps that simulate fraction strips.