What Are Equivalent Fractions?
Mathematics · Fractions, Decimals and Percentages · Grades 3–5
Meaning at a glance
Equivalent fractions are different fractions that name the same amount, like 1/2 and 2/4.
Also searched as: equivalent fraction, equal fractions, same fractions.
Understand it simply
Cut a bar in half and shade one half. Now cut every half into two smaller pieces. You now have 4 pieces, and 2 of them are shaded. The shaded amount has not changed. 1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent.
To make an equivalent fraction, multiply the top and bottom by the same number (not zero). You can also divide the top and bottom by the same number.
See it work
Start with 1/2. Multiply the top and bottom by 2 to get 2/4. Multiply them by 4 to get 4/8. The shaded part is the same length each time.
In numbers: 1/2 = (1 × 2)/(2 × 2) = 2/4. Whatever you do to the bottom number, do to the top number as well.
Avoid this confusion
Do not add the same number to the top and bottom. Adding 1 to both parts of 1/2 gives 2/3, which is a different amount. Multiplying (or dividing) both numbers by the same number keeps the fraction equivalent.
Try it yourself
Work these out first, then check your answers below.
Fill in the missing number: 1/3 = ?/6
Are 3/4 and 6/8 equivalent?
Are 2/5 and 3/6 equivalent?
Check your understanding
Show the answer to question 1
Answer: 2
The bottom number went from 3 to 6, which is multiplying by 2. Multiply the top number by 2 too: 1 × 2 = 2.
Show the answer to question 2
Answer: Yes.
Multiply the top and bottom of 3/4 by 2: 3 × 2 = 6 and 4 × 2 = 8, so 3/4 = 6/8.
Show the answer to question 3
Answer: No.
To get from 2/5 to 3/6 we added 1 to both numbers, and that does not keep the amount the same. 2/5 equals 4/10, while 3/6 equals 5/10, which are different.
Understand more with Courseversity
You now know what equivalent fractions means. Keep going with a full lesson, then explore the ideas that connect to it.
Learn
Learn this in a full lesson.
- Recognising equivalent fractions (Grade 3)
- Equivalent fractions (Grade 4)
- Equivalent fractions (Grade 5)
Practise
Practise with Learning Lab questions for the lesson Recognising equivalent fractions (Grade 3), with an explanation after each answer.
Explore
Ideas that connect to this word.
- Fraction: naming equal parts of a whole.
- Numerator: the top number that changes along with the denominator.
- Denominator: the bottom number that tells how many equal parts.
Save
Keep this word in My Study Dashboard so you can revise it later.
Keep building your understanding. Join Courseversity free to save this concept and continue learning.
Sources and review
- Common Core State Standards: Number & Operations—Fractions – A published reference for how fraction ideas are commonly taught. Courseversity does not claim alignment with it.
Written by: Courseversity editorial team (AI-assisted draft).
Review status: checked against the sources above. Educator review is pending, so please tell us if anything looks wrong.
Last updated: 27 October 2026.