Maths Library

Equivalent Fractions: Year 5 maths

This topic focuses on identifying, generating, and proving equivalence between fractions using visual models and arithmetic scaling. Pupils multiply or divide numerator and denominator by a common factor to complete equivalent pairs.

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What this covers

Equivalent Fractions is taught in Year 5 (age 9 to 10, KS2) as a main teaching focus. It sits in the Fractions strand.

Worked example

Find the missing number: 35 = /20.

  1. Determine the multiplier for the denominator: 205 = 4
  2. Multiply the numerator by the same value: 3 × 4 = 12
  3. The missing numerator is 12

Answer: 12

Difficulty scale

The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.

  1. Find the missing number in an equivalent fraction, multiplier 2 to 4
  2. Same, with multipliers up to 4 and small denominators
  3. Missing numerator in equivalent fractions with multipliers up to 9
  4. Larger denominators, still a single multiplier
  5. Mixed denominators up to 9 with multipliers up to 9

Common mistakes

  • Adding the same number to both numerator and denominator instead of multiplying (e.g. 2/3 = 3/4)
  • Multiplying the numerator but forgetting to multiply the denominator

Curriculum links

Indicative matches to National Curriculum for England. Check wording and codes against the official document.

  • Identify, name and write equivalent fractions of a given fraction, represented visually.

Sample sheet and answers

Six questions at the level's usual difficulty. Open the editor to change, add or regenerate any of them.

Equivalent Fractions

Year 5 maths

Qs
6
Marks
12
NameDateScore / 12
1.
12 = 4
[2]
2.
23 = 12
[2]
3.
17 = 8
[2]
4.
14 = 8
[2]
5.
13 = 7
[2]
6.
89 = 48
[2]

Answer key

  1. 82 × 4 = 8; Multiply the top by 4 as well: 1 × 4 = 4
  2. 183 × 6 = 18; Multiply the top by 6 as well: 2 × 6 = 12
  3. 567 × 8 = 56; Multiply the top by 8 as well: 1 × 8 = 8
  4. 324 × 8 = 32; Multiply the top by 8 as well: 1 × 8 = 8
  5. 213 × 7 = 21; Multiply the top by 7 as well: 1 × 7 = 7
  6. 549 × 6 = 54; Multiply the top by 6 as well: 8 × 6 = 48