Maths hiding in reading: bookmark fractions
Show how far through a book you are as a part of the whole.
Quick answer
You can show how far you’ve read in a book using fractions – like 3 out of 8 pages, or 5/8 of the book.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use fractions to show how much of a book you have read, and understand that the bottom number tells you how many equal parts the book is split into, and the top number tells you how many parts you’ve read. Success signs:- You can say how far through a book you are using a fraction
- You can draw a book and show what part you’ve read
- You can compare two books to see which one you’ve read more of
- You can explain what the top and bottom numbers mean in a fraction
Why this matters
Fractions are used everywhere, not just in maths books. When you’re reading a book, fractions help you understand how much you’ve read and how much is left. This is useful for tracking your reading progress, setting reading goals, and even for sharing books with friends. It’s also a fun way to connect reading and maths, showing how the two subjects work together.How it works
Fractions show parts of a whole. When you read a book, the whole book is like one big cake. If you read 3 pages out of 8, you’ve eaten 3 parts of that cake. The fraction is 3/8. Let’s break it down:- First, count how many pages are in the book
- Then, count how many pages you’ve read
- Write the number you’ve read on top (numerator)
- Write the total number of pages on bottom (denominator)
Examples you can see
Let’s say you’re reading a book with 12 pages. You’ve read 5 pages. You can show this as the fraction 5/12. Here’s how it looks:| Pages read | Total pages | Fraction |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 1/4 |
| 2 | 4 | 2/4 |
| 3 | 4 | 3/4 |
| 4 | 4 | 4/4 |
- Book has 10 pages
- You’ve read 7 pages
- Fraction = 7/10
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: Book Tracker Quest You are a book explorer on a mission to track how far you’ve read in your book. Here’s your quest: 1st time: Pick a book with 12 pages 2nd time: Read 3 pages 3rd time: Show how much you’ve read using a fraction 4th time: Draw your book and shade the pages you’ve read 5th time: Compare your progress with a friend’s book How to do it:- Draw a rectangle to represent your book
- Divide it into equal parts (like 12 equal boxes)
- Colour in the parts you’ve read
- Write the fraction
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Writing 3/5 when you’ve read 5 pages out of 8
Why it happens: Mixing up which number goes on top and bottom
Fix: Remember, the bottom number is the total pages, and the top number is how many you’ve read - Mistake: Thinking 1/4 means you’ve read 1 page out of 4 pages
Why it happens: Not understanding that 1/4 means 1 part out of 4 equal parts
Fix: Draw the book and split it into 4 equal parts, then show how many you’ve read - Mistake: Using the same fraction for two books with different page counts
Why it happens: Not realising that 3/4 of a 12-page book is different from 3/4 of a 20-page book
Fix: Always compare the same total number of pages
Parent and carer guide
Parents and carers can help by:- Choosing a book with a clear number of pages
- Encouraging children to draw their book and show what they’ve read
- Asking questions like: “What fraction of your book have you read?”
- Comparing books with friends or family to see who’s read more
- Using real books and not just imaginary ones to make the concept concrete
- Pick a book together
- Count the pages
- Read a few pages
- Write the fraction
- Draw it
- Children might get confused at first – that’s normal
- They may mix up top and bottom numbers – this is a common mistake
- Don’t rush them – let them explore and make mistakes
Practice questions
- Book has 6 pages, you’ve read 2. What fraction have you read?
- Book has 10 pages, you’ve read 7. What fraction have you read?
- Book has 8 pages, you’ve read 5. What fraction have you read?
- Book has 15 pages, you’ve read 9. What fraction have you read?
- Book has 20 pages, you’ve read 12. What fraction have you read?
- 2/6
- 7/10
- 5/8
- 9/15
- 12/20
FAQ
What is a fraction?
A fraction is a way to show part of a whole. It has two numbers: the top number (numerator) shows how many parts you have, and the bottom number (denominator) shows how many equal parts the whole is divided into.
How do I know which number goes on top and which on the bottom?
The bottom number is always the total number of equal parts in the whole. The top number is how many of those parts you have or have read.
Can I use fractions for any book?
Yes! Any book with a clear number of pages can be used to make fractions. Even books with 100 pages can be split into fractions like 1/100, 10/100, etc.
How can I make fractions more fun?
You can make it a game! Try drawing your book, colouring in the pages you’ve read, and comparing with friends. You can also use a book tracker chart to see your progress over time.
Why is it helpful to know fractions when reading?
Knowing fractions helps you track your reading progress, set goals, and understand how much you’ve read. It also makes reading more engaging and helps you see maths in everyday life.