Equivalent fractions

Different names, same amount.

Sharing a cake

Half a cake can be 2 quarters, 3 sixths or 4 eighths. They look different but are the same amount. These are equivalent fractions.

Line up the bars. Each shaded part covers the same length. So ½ = 2/4 = 3/6 = 4/8.

Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number. Or divide both by a common factor. Dividing both parts helps us simplify the fraction.

8 and 12 are both divisible by 4. 8/12 = 2/3. 2/3 is in simplest form: no number except 1 divides both.