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Year 4 - Maths

Identifying the number of equal or unequal parts in a whole

Review of fractions

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will identify equal parts when they do not look the same related to equivalence. They will construct a whole when given a part and the number of parts.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify the number of equal or unequal parts in a whole.

Key Notes

  • The parts that make up a whole can be equal or unequal in size.
  • The whole can be made of many parts, many parts can make the whole.
  • We can describe the parts in the whole using the stem sentence: there are ___ equal/unequal parts in the whole.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Equal: We say that two or more things are equal if they have the same quantity or value.
  • Unequal: We say that two or more things are unequal if they do not have the same quantity or value.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Sometimes parts can be deceptive and look equal but are in fact unequal. For example, a rhombus that has been split into parts with lines that are equally distributed.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.

The parts that make up a whole can be equal or unequal in size. The whole can be made of many parts, many parts can make the whole.

2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Equal'

We say that two or more things are equal if they have the same quantity or value. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: Sometimes parts can be deceptive and look equal but are in fact unequal. For example, a rhombus that has been split into parts with lines that are equally distributed. Correction: Explore this further by presenting several examples like this if needed. You could ask the children to try and think of some examples where the parts look equal but are in fact unequal.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 4 Maths guide library.