Fraction strips

Quick answer

Fraction strips are pieces of paper or plastic that help you see and compare fractions. You can use them to add fractions, see which fractions are bigger, and understand how fractions work.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use fraction strips to compare fractions, order them from smallest to largest, and add fractions together.

• You can match fraction strips to show equal amounts.
• You can put fraction strips in order from smallest to biggest.
• You can add two fractions together using fraction strips.
• You can explain why two fractions are the same size.

Why this matters

Fractions are used in many parts of life, like cooking, sharing food, measuring things, and playing games. Fraction strips help you see fractions clearly, so you can understand them better. They are especially helpful when you are learning to add fractions or compare them.

Whether you are sharing a pizza with friends, following a recipe, or playing a game that involves dividing things, fraction strips help you understand how parts of a whole work.

How it works

Fraction strips are pieces of paper or plastic that show different fractions of the same whole. For example, one strip might show one-half, another might show one-third, and another might show one-quarter. All strips are the same length, so you can compare them easily.

Here's how to use them:

1. Take a strip that shows one-half.
2. Take a strip that shows one-third.
3. Place them side by side to see which is bigger.
4. Use them to add fractions by putting strips together.

Examples you can see

Imagine you have a pizza cut into 8 equal slices. You eat 3 slices, so you have eaten 3/8 of the pizza. Your friend eats 2 slices, so they have eaten 2/8 of the pizza. Using fraction strips, you can lay out one strip showing 3/8 and another showing 2/8. You can see that 3/8 is bigger than 2/8.

Now, let's try adding fractions. If you have 1/4 of a cake and your friend gives you 1/4 more, you can use two 1/4 strips and put them together. They make one 1/2 strip. So, 1/4 + 1/4 = 1/2.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a chef in a kitchen. You have a big chocolate bar that is divided into 12 equal pieces. You need to share it with your friends. You take 3 pieces, your friend takes 2 pieces, and another friend takes 4 pieces. How much of the bar did you all eat together?

Let’s find out:

1. Draw a strip to show 1/12 (one piece of the bar).
2. Take 3 strips to show 3/12.
3. Take 2 strips to show 2/12.
4. Take 4 strips to show 4/12.
5. Put all the strips together to see how much you ate in total.
6. Count how many 1/12 pieces you have: 3 + 2 + 4 = 9 pieces.
7. So, you ate 9/12 of the chocolate bar.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that 1/3 is bigger than 1/2 because 3 is bigger than 2.
• Why it happens: Children often think that larger numbers in fractions mean larger parts.
• Fix: Use fraction strips to show that 1/2 is bigger than 1/3. The strip for 1/2 is longer than the strip for 1/3.
• Mistake: Adding fractions by adding the numerators and denominators separately.
• Why it happens: This is a common error when children don't understand that fractions must have the same size parts to be added.
• Fix: Always use fraction strips to show that you need the same-sized pieces before adding.
• Mistake: Not lining up the strips correctly when comparing.
• Why it happens: Children may not understand that strips must be the same length to compare.
• Fix: Make sure all strips are the same length and placed side by side to compare.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with fraction strips is easy and fun. Here’s how:

• Start by asking your child to show 1/2 and 1/4 using strips. Ask which is bigger.
• Use real-life examples like pizza or cake to explain fractions.
• Let your child make their own fraction strips using paper or plastic.
• Play games where you ask your child to find two fractions that add up to 1/2 or 1 whole.
• Don’t worry if they make mistakes. It’s part of learning!

When your child is learning, they may not always get it right. That’s okay. Keep practicing with fun examples, and they will get better over time.

Practice questions

1. Which is bigger: 1/3 or 1/4? Show with fraction strips.
2. What is 1/6 + 1/6? Use fraction strips to find the answer.
3. Order these fractions from smallest to largest: 1/8, 1/4, 1/2.
4. How much is 1/3 + 1/3? Use fraction strips to show your answer.
5. Can you make 1 whole using fraction strips? How?

Answers

1. 1/3 is bigger than 1/4.
2. 1/6 + 1/6 = 2/6 or 1/3.
3. 1/8, 1/4, 1/2.
4. 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/3.
5. Yes, you can use 2 strips of 1/2, or 3 strips of 1/3, or 4 strips of 1/4, etc.

FAQ

What are fraction strips?

Fraction strips are pieces of paper or plastic that show different fractions of the same whole. They help you compare and add fractions.

How do I use fraction strips?

You can use them to compare fractions, order them from smallest to largest, and add fractions together by putting strips side by side.

Can I make my own fraction strips?

Yes! You can draw strips on paper and cut them into equal parts to make your own fraction strips.

Why are fraction strips helpful?

They help you see fractions visually. This makes it easier to understand how fractions work and how to add and compare them.

Are fraction strips only for small children?

No! Even older children can use fraction strips to understand fractions better, especially when learning to add and compare them.