MathIsimple
Lesson 4-3

Shape Partitioning

Learn to divide shapes into equal parts and understand fractions through shape partitioning

Equal PartsHalvesQuartersFair Sharing
Start LearningBack to Unit 4

Key Concepts

Master the fundamentals of shape partitioning and equal sharing

Equal Parts

Understanding that when we divide a shape, each part must be the same size. All parts should be equal to be fair.

Examples:

Dividing a pizza into 2 equal halves
Cutting a cake into 4 equal quarters
Sharing a cookie equally between 2 people
Making sure each part is the same size

Halves (1/2)

When we divide something into 2 equal parts, each part is called a half. We write it as 1/2.

Examples:

A pizza cut in half = 2 halves
A circle divided into 2 equal parts = 2 halves
A rectangle split down the middle = 2 halves
Each half is exactly the same size

Quarters (1/4)

When we divide something into 4 equal parts, each part is called a quarter. We write it as 1/4.

Examples:

A pizza cut into 4 pieces = 4 quarters
A square divided into 4 equal parts = 4 quarters
A circle split into 4 equal sections = 4 quarters
Each quarter is exactly the same size

Interactive Practice

Practice shape partitioning with interactive activities

Pizza Partitioning

Divide a pizza into equal halves and quarters.

Activity: Use virtual scissors to cut the pizza into 2 or 4 equal parts

Cake Sharing

Share a cake equally among friends.

Activity: Drag lines to divide the cake into equal parts for sharing

Shape Fraction Game

Identify which shapes are divided into equal parts.

Activity: Click on shapes that are divided equally and avoid unequal divisions

Example Library

See step-by-step examples of shape partitioning

Dividing a Circle into Halves

Problem:

Cut a circle into 2 equal parts

Solution:

Draw a line through the center to make 2 equal halves

Steps:

  1. 1Start with a whole circle
  2. 2Draw a straight line through the center
  3. 3Make sure the line divides the circle into 2 equal parts
  4. 4Each part is called a half (1/2)

Visual:

Circle divided by a line through the center into 2 equal halves

Dividing a Square into Quarters

Problem:

Cut a square into 4 equal parts

Solution:

Draw two lines (one horizontal, one vertical) through the center

Steps:

  1. 1Start with a whole square
  2. 2Draw a horizontal line through the middle
  3. 3Draw a vertical line through the middle
  4. 4The square is now divided into 4 equal quarters (1/4 each)

Visual:

Square divided by horizontal and vertical lines into 4 equal quarters

Sharing a Pizza Equally

Problem:

Divide a pizza so 2 people get equal shares

Solution:

Cut the pizza in half so each person gets 1/2

Steps:

  1. 1Start with a whole pizza
  2. 2Cut it straight down the middle
  3. 3Make sure both pieces are exactly the same size
  4. 4Each person gets one half (1/2) of the pizza

Visual:

Pizza cut in half with two equal pieces

Making Equal Parts of a Rectangle

Problem:

Divide a rectangle into 4 equal parts

Solution:

Use two lines to create 4 equal rectangles

Steps:

  1. 1Start with a whole rectangle
  2. 2Draw a line to divide it into 2 equal parts
  3. 3Draw another line perpendicular to divide each half in half
  4. 4You now have 4 equal parts (quarters)

Visual:

Rectangle divided into 4 equal smaller rectangles

Previous Lesson
Lesson 4-3 Complete
Complete All Units