Equivalent fractions are fractions that have equal value, even though they may look different.
Here are some examples of equivalent fractions:
You already learned to find equivalent fractions using area models. 🤗
👉 In this lesson, we'll learn to recognize, or spot, equivalent fractions using number lines.
Draw a number line that goes from 0 to 1.
The denominator tells you how many equal parts to divide the number line into. 😀
The numerator tells you how many parts to color.
Here are some of the fractions marked on a number line.
These three fractions are equivalent.
How can you tell? 🤔
First, look at the number line model for 2/4.
Next, look at the number line model for 4/8.
Then, look at the number line model for 3/6.
They're all the same length!
Equivalent fractions have the same length on a number line.
Let's try an example.
Find a fraction equivalent to 2/3.
First, draw a number line model for 2/3.
Next, draw a second identical one below that.
Now, divide the second line into smaller parts.
What fraction of the number line is colored? 🤔
Yes, 4/₆! Because 4 out of 6 parts are colored.
Are the two fractions the same length?
Yes.
This means 2/3 is equivalent to 4/6! ✅
Are 3/4 and 4/6 equivalent?
👉 First, draw the number line model for 3/4.
👉 Next, draw the number line model for 4/6.
Compare the length of 3/4 and 4/6.
Are they the same length?
👉 No, they're not!
3/4 is longer than 4/6.
This means that 3/4 and 4/6 are NOT equivalent. ❎😎
Great job! 🎉 You just learned how to recognize equivalent fractions using number lines.
Now, complete the practice. 😺