Equivalent Fractions
📋 What it is
Equivalent fractions name the same amount with different numbers, made by multiplying (or dividing) top and bottom by the same number.
🗣️ Coach says
Different-looking fractions can be the exact same amount. 1/2 and 2/4 and 4/8 all fill the same space. The trick: whatever you do to the top, do to the bottom — multiply or divide BOTH by the same number and the value never changes.
🧠 Memory hook
Same to the top, same to the bottom. Multiply both, and the amount stays put.
😂 Giggle
Why should you never argue with a denominator?
Because it's always at the bottom of things!
😲 Whoa!
There are infinitely many fractions equal to 1/2 — 2/4, 3/6, 50/100, 999/1998… the list never ends.
✅ Quick check: Is 3/4 equivalent to 6/8? Show why.
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Yes — multiply top and bottom of 3/4 by 2 to get 6/8, and doing the same to both keeps the value equal.
Scaling numerator and denominator by the same factor preserves the amount.
🪄 Trick question: To make 1/2 into an equal fraction, can you add 2 to the top and 2 to the bottom (getting 3/4)?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
No — you must MULTIPLY both by the same number, not add; 3/4 is bigger than 1/2.
Adding the same amount changes the ratio; only multiplying/dividing both keeps it equal.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Take 2/3 and make three fractions equal to it by multiplying top and bottom by 2, then 3, then 5. Check they all look the same on a bar.