Fractions: Halves, Thirds, and Fourths
Grade 2 · Math · Study Guide
Discover how to divide shapes and groups into equal parts called fractions.
A fraction is a way to show part of a whole. When we cut a pizza into 2 equal pieces, each piece is one-half (1/2). Two equal parts make halves. When we cut something into 3 equal parts, each part is one-third (1/3). And when we cut something into 4 equal parts, each part is one-fourth (1/4) — also called a quarter.
The bottom number of a fraction tells how many equal parts the whole was cut into. The top number tells how many parts you have. So 3/4 means you have 3 out of 4 equal parts.
Fractions are everywhere in real life! Cutting a sandwich in half, splitting a granola bar into thirds, or sharing a chocolate bar into fourths. The most important rule with fractions is that the parts must be EQUAL — same size, same shape.
| Fraction | Name | Equal parts | Real-life example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | One-half | 2 equal parts | Half a sandwich |
| 1/3 | One-third | 3 equal parts | One slice of a 3-piece pie |
| 1/4 | One-fourth | 4 equal parts | Quarter of an apple |
Key terms
- Fraction
- A number that represents part of a whole
- Half (1/2)
- One of two equal parts of a whole
- Third (1/3)
- One of three equal parts of a whole
- Fourth (1/4)
- One of four equal parts of a whole; also called a quarter
- Equal parts
- Parts that are exactly the same size
Flashcards
- What is a fraction?
- A number showing part of a whole — the parts must be equal
- 1/2 means...
- 1 out of 2 equal parts (one-half)
- 1/3 means...
- 1 out of 3 equal parts (one-third)
- 1/4 means...
- 1 out of 4 equal parts (one-fourth or one-quarter)
- What does the bottom number of a fraction tell you?
- How many equal parts the whole is divided into
- What does the top number of a fraction tell you?
- How many parts you have
Practice questions
A pizza is cut into 4 equal slices. What fraction does 1 slice represent?
- 1/2
- 1/3
- 1/4
- 4/1
Show answer
Answer: 1/4
4 equal slices; 1 slice out of 4 = 1/4.
For a fraction to be correct, all parts must be equal in size.
Show answer
Answer: True
Fractions require all parts to be equal — unequal cuts don't make proper fractions.
When something is cut into 2 equal parts, each part is one-___.
Show answer
Answer: half
Two equal parts are called halves; one part = one-half.
Which fraction means you have 3 out of 4 equal parts?
- 4/3
- 1/3
- 3/4
- 3/1
Show answer
Answer: 3/4
3 parts out of 4 equal parts = three-fourths.
One-half and one-fourth are the same size.
Show answer
Answer: False
1/2 is bigger than 1/4 — a half is larger than a fourth.
Fun facts
- The word 'fraction' comes from the Latin 'fractio' meaning 'to break' — you are breaking something into parts!
- A quarter dollar coin is called a quarter because it is one-fourth (1/4) of a dollar.
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