Equivalent Fractions Worksheets

Run this as a warm-up before a lesson on common denominators. Ask students to find the multiplier first: what turns 3 into 12? Then apply it to the top as well. About a third of the problems hide the denominator, so the student must work in the reverse direction, which is slower and a useful check on understanding. Twenty problems take around fifteen minutes. Check with the key, then talk through the hardest line. Use the 5 versions switch for table groups.

Equivalent fractions are the same amount written with different-sized pieces. The core move is multiplying top and bottom by the same number. Children stall when the unknown is the denominator, since they must divide to find the multiplier instead of multiplying by habit. Here the first fraction is in lowest terms and the second never has a denominator past 24, so times tables are enough. This skill leads to comparing, simplifying and every unlike-denominator operation.

Up to 6 keeps the fractions small and gives a gentle start. Up to 10 or Up to 12 allows bigger starting denominators. If a student blindly multiplies, try Missing number mode to push their thinking. Use twelve problems when you want quality over speed, and twenty for regular practice. Another idea: ask them to draw a bar model for one problem and shade both fractions to prove they match.

Why is the denominator sometimes the missing number?

Because finding the top by scaling up can be done by rote. Finding the bottom means working out the multiplier from the numerators first, which shows whether the student understands the relationship.

How big do the numbers get?

The starting fraction has a denominator of 8 or less and the equivalent one stays at or below 24. Every problem can be solved with times tables, so no long multiplication gets in the way.

How do I help a student who keeps adding instead of multiplying?

Show a bar model: half of a bar is the same as two quarters, not 1 plus 2. Adding changes the amount, multiplying top and bottom by one number keeps it.