🔢 MathGrade 2Lesson 32
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Fractions — Halves and Quarters of Shapes and Objects

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What you will learn

  • 1Divide shapes into 2 equal parts
  • 2Name each part one half
  • 3Divide shapes into 4 equal parts
  • 4Name each part one quarter
  • 5Recognize that 2 quarters equal one half and 4 quarters equal one whole
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Mini Lesson

A fraction names one or more equal parts of a whole. When you cut something into equal pieces, each piece is a fraction of the whole object.

One half — 1/2

  • Cut a whole shape into 2 equal parts.
  • Each part is called one half, written 1/2.
  • The bottom number (2) tells you how many equal parts in the whole.
  • The top number (1) tells you how many parts you are talking about.

One quarter — 1/4

  • Cut a whole shape into 4 equal parts.
  • Each part is called one quarter, written 1/4.
  • Two quarters (2/4) equal one half (1/2).
  • Four quarters (4/4) equal one whole.

The equal-parts rule

  • Parts must be the same size to be fractions.
  • If the parts are not equal, the shape is not divided into halves or quarters.
  • Real-life examples: half a sandwich, a quarter of a pizza, half a glass of water.

Words to know

Fraction

A number that names equal parts of a whole

e.g. Half is a fraction.

Whole

All of something before it is split

e.g. One whole pizza becomes 4 equal slices.

Half

One of two equal parts of a whole, written 1/2

e.g. Half of a sandwich is 1/2.

Quarter

One of four equal parts of a whole, written 1/4

e.g. A quarter of the pizza is one slice out of four.

Equal parts

Pieces that are all the same size

e.g. Halves and quarters must be equal parts.

Shapes divided into halves and quartersLeft panel: a circle cut in half by a vertical line. The left half is shaded blue and labeled one half. Right panel: a square cut into four equal parts. The top-left quarter is shaded green and labeled one quarter.One Halfshaded1/22 equal parts1 part shadedOne Quartershaded1/44 equal parts1 part shaded
A circle split into equal halves (left half shaded, 1/2) and a square split into four equal quarters (top-left shaded, 1/4).
Equal parts rule and fraction relationshipsTop row: a rectangle with a correct equal split beside one with an unequal split. Bottom row: a strip of four quarters showing 2 quarters equal one half, and 4 quarters equal one whole.The Equal-Parts RuleEqual halves - yesNot equal - no1/41/41/41/42/4 = 1/24/4 = 1 whole2 quarters = 1 half • 4 quarters = 1 whole
Equal versus unequal splits plus a strip of four quarters showing 2/4 = 1/2 and 4/4 = 1 whole.
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Ask yourself: "Are the parts the same size? How many equal parts does the whole have — 2 or 4?"

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