Finding Fractions of Numbers

For Learners with Dyscalculia or Maths Difficulties

Fractions are frequently a challenging area for children with dyscalculia or other maths difficulties. so, finding fractions of numbers for learners with dyscalculia or maths difficulties can be an area that needs extra reinforcement. One reason for this is because fraction work relies on an understanding of division and confidence with both multiplication and division facts for the times tables.

Before trying to find a fraction of a number, it’s important to ensure that your child has a good understanding of what a fraction is. Some simple activities to check this would be to ask them to fold and colour a strip of paper to show a fraction such as two fifths, or to draw an image to show what three tenths would look like. It’s also important to check that your child understands how to divide, for which they can be asked to show a calculation such as 12÷3 with counters. We can then use understanding of both of these concepts to find a fraction of a number.

To find ¼ of 12, we can begin by folding a strip of paper and colouring it to show ¼. We can then get 12 counters and place them on the strip so that there are an equal number of counters in each part. We can link both processes to division: the strip was divided up into 4 parts, and the counters were divided up into 4 equal groups. We can now see that there are 3 counters in the one coloured part of the strip, so ¼ of 12=3.

If we wanted to find ¾ of 12, we could follow the same steps, but this time colouring 3 of the 4 parts on the fraction strip. When the 12 counters are divided up equally onto the strip, we now need to look at how many counters there are in the 3 coloured parts altogether. We know that there are 3 counters in one part, so there must be 3 times as many in 3 parts, so 9 counters. 12÷4=3 then 3×3=9.

We can explore this further with different fractions to reinforce the two calculations that are needed: divide the number by the denominator (number on the bottom of the fraction), then multiply the answer by the numerator (the number on the top of the fraction).

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