Halves
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Fractions are a way to show parts of a whole. When we cut something into 2 equal parts, each part is called a half!
What Is a Half?
A half is one of two equal parts. When you cut something into 2 equal pieces, each piece is one half.
We write one half as: 1/2
Understanding 1/2
In the fraction 1/2:
- The bottom number (2) tells how many equal parts the whole is divided into
- The top number (1) tells how many parts we are talking about
So 1/2 means "1 out of 2 equal parts"
Equal Parts Are Important!
For halves to be fair, both parts must be the same size!
These are halves (equal):
[-------|-------] Two equal parts
This is NOT halves (not equal):
[---|------------] Parts are different sizes
Two Halves Make a Whole
If you have both halves, you have the whole thing!
1/2 + 1/2 = 2/2 = 1 whole
Worked Examples
Example 1: Sharing a Sandwich
Problem: You cut a sandwich into 2 equal parts to share with your friend. What fraction do you each get?
Step 1: The sandwich is cut into 2 equal parts
Step 2: Each person gets 1 of those parts
Answer: Each person gets 1/2 (one half) of the sandwich
Example 2: Identifying Halves
Problem: Is this shape divided into halves?
[-------|-------]
Step 1: Count the parts: 2 parts
Step 2: Check if they are equal: Yes, both parts look the same size
Answer: Yes! This shows halves because there are 2 equal parts.
Example 3: Shading Half
Problem: A circle is divided into 2 equal parts. If you color 1 part, what fraction did you color?
Step 1: The circle has 2 equal parts (bottom number = 2)
Step 2: You colored 1 part (top number = 1)
Answer: You colored 1/2 (one half) of the circle
Example 4: Half of a Group
Problem: There are 6 apples. What is half of the apples?
Step 1: To find half, divide into 2 equal groups
Step 2: 6 divided into 2 groups = 3 in each group
Answer: Half of 6 apples is 3 apples
Example 5: Real Life Halves
Problem: Name three things that can be cut in half.
Examples:
- A pizza cut down the middle
- An apple sliced in two
- A piece of paper folded in half
- A cookie shared between two friends
Practice Problems
Try these problems on your own. Click "Show Answer" to check your work!
Problem 1: How many equal parts make halves?
Show Answer
2 equal parts
Problem 2: You have a candy bar. You eat half. What fraction is left?
Show Answer
1/2 (one half is left)
Problem 3: What is half of 8 cookies?
Show Answer
4 cookies (8 divided into 2 equal groups = 4 each)
Problem 4: A rectangle is divided into 2 parts. One part is bigger than the other. Is it divided into halves?
Show Answer
No! Halves must be equal parts. If one is bigger, they are not halves.
Problem 5: What is half of 10?
Show Answer
5
Problem 6: If you have 1/2 of a pizza and your friend has 1/2, how much pizza do you have together?
Show Answer
1 whole pizza (1/2 + 1/2 = 1 whole)
Problem 7: What is half of 4?
Show Answer
2
Problem 8: A square is cut into 2 equal triangles. What fraction is each triangle?
Show Answer
1/2 (each triangle is one half of the square)
Problem 9: What is half of 12 stickers?
Show Answer
6 stickers
Problem 10: In the fraction 1/2, what does the 2 mean?
Show Answer
The 2 means the whole is divided into 2 equal parts.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1: What is a fraction?
Show Answer
A fraction is a way to show parts of a whole, like 1/2 showing one out of two equal parts.
Question 2: Why must the parts be equal for them to be halves?
Show Answer
If the parts are not equal, then each part would be a different amount. Halves means both parts are the same, which is fair for sharing!
Question 3: How would you show 1/2 by drawing?
Show Answer
Draw a shape, divide it into 2 equal parts, and color or shade 1 of the parts.
Question 4: What is half of 20?
Show Answer
10 (20 divided into 2 equal groups = 10 each)
Next Steps
- Practice: Find things at home that can be divided into halves
- Draw: Draw shapes and divide them into two equal parts
- Next Lesson: Learn about thirds - dividing into 3 equal parts!
- Real Life: Practice sharing things equally with a friend