MathPractice
Fractions · Grade 3

Unit fractions

A unit fraction names one equal part of a whole. Connect words such as sixth to a fraction such as 1/6.

Grade 38 questions per setNo account needed
Practice 8 questions Download worksheet

US Letter PDF · A4 version · Answer key

What we’re working onName one equal share using a numerator of 1 and the correct denominator.

First page of the Unit fractions worksheet, with visible questions and room to work.Open worksheet PDF · 8 questions · US Letter
See how it works

Worked examples

Example 1

One sixth

A strip is divided into six equal parts. One part is shaded. What fraction of the strip is shaded?

  1. The whole is the complete strip.
  2. There are six equal parts, so each part is one sixth.
  3. One of those parts is shaded. Write 1 above 6.

1/6

Example 2

One third

Divide one rectangle into three equal shares. Name just one of those shares.

  1. The denominator counts the three equal shares in one whole.
  2. The numerator counts the one share being named.
  3. One of three equal shares is one third.

1/3

A question from this worksheet

Write the fraction shown by the one shaded part.

See the explanation

1/2

One out of 2 equal parts is 1/2.

Choose how to practice

Pick the support you need.

Each set has eight questions. The online practice and prepared worksheet use the same questions.

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For the grown-up beside them

Help the thinking along.

A useful question

What does the bottom number tell us about one whole? What does the top number count?

What to look for

The learner counts all equal parts in the whole for the denominator and only the selected part for the numerator.

A common sticking point

Using the number of unshaded parts as the denominator.

Help without giving the answer

Outline the whole, then touch every equal part once. After that, point to the single part being named.

Keep the words clear

Words in this skill.

unit fraction
A fraction with numerator 1, such as 1/6.
numerator
The top number: how many parts of the stated size are being counted.
denominator
The bottom number: how many equal parts make one whole.
whole
The complete amount used as the unit.

What these sets cover.

  • Use denominators 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8.
  • Start with a bar; try a circle only when the whole and equal parts are clear.
  • Keep the whole the same size when comparing the sizes of its parts.

Common questions

Why is the numerator always 1 here?

A unit fraction names exactly one part of size 1/b. Later, a fraction such as 3/8 counts three unit fractions of size 1/8.

Is one eighth larger than one fourth?

For the same whole, an eighth is smaller. Dividing a whole into more equal parts makes each part smaller.

Try next

Read and build models

Next, count several unit fractions to read and build a fraction model.

Explore this skill

Related standards: 3.NF.1. These materials focus on this skill, not every part of a grade-level curriculum. How we check materials.