Master equivalent fractions using fraction walls and cross-multiplication verification. Learn to find equivalent fractions through scaling and visual models.
Scenario: You're helping build a fraction wall for your classroom! A fraction wall shows different fractions that represent the same amount. For example, 1/2, 2/4, and 3/6 all represent the same portion of a whole.
Your task is to find all the equivalent fractions that can be built using the same-sized blocks. This will help you understand that different fractions can represent the same value!
Equivalent fractions are different fractions that represent the same value or amount. They look different but are equal.
A fraction wall is a visual tool that shows equivalent fractions by stacking equal-sized blocks.
A fraction wall shows equivalent fractions by using blocks of the same size. Each row represents a different denominator.
Example: For 1/2, you can use 2 blocks of 1/2 each, or 4 blocks of 1/4 each, or 6 blocks of 1/6 each. All represent the same amount!
To verify if two fractions are equivalent, multiply the numerator of the first by the denominator of the second, and vice versa.
Example: Is 2/3 = 4/6? Check: 2 × 6 = 12 and 3 × 4 = 12. Since both equal 12, they are equivalent!
To find equivalent fractions, multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number.
Example: 1/2 = ?/6. Since 2 × 3 = 6, multiply 1 × 3 = 3. So 1/2 = 3/6.
Build a fraction wall showing equivalent fractions for 1/2:
Find equivalent fractions for 2/3:
1. Find 3 fractions equivalent to 1/4
2. Find 3 fractions equivalent to 3/5
3. Find 3 fractions equivalent to 2/7
4. Is 3/4 = 6/8? Verify your answer.
5. Is 2/5 = 4/10? Verify your answer.
6. Is 1/3 = 3/9? Verify your answer.
Wrong: 1/2 + 1/1 = 2/3 (This is NOT equivalent!)
Correct: 1/2 = 2/4 (Multiply both by 2)
Wrong: 1/2 = 2/2 (This changes the value!)
Correct: 1/2 = 2/4 (Change both numerator and denominator by the same factor)
Equivalent fractions represent the same value but look different
Use fraction walls to visualize equivalent fractions
Cross-multiplication is a reliable way to verify equivalence
Always multiply or divide both numerator and denominator by the same number