Any fraction can be expressed in an infinite number of ways, which we call equivalent fractions. This means that although the notation looks different, they represent the same amount.

To make an equivalent fraction, it is necessary to multiply both the denominator and numerator by the same amount.

We can see that when we multiply the denominator by 2, we are splitting the whole one up into twice as many parts. There are now 10 parts instead of 5 altogether. This means that we now also have twice as many parts coloured. There are now 6 coloured parts instead of 3.

A different way to represent this is to show each fifth being split into 2 pieces, which again results in twice as many parts altogether and twice as many parts coloured.

Any time we multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number, we make an equivalent fraction.

Play Fraction pairs to practice recoginising equivalent fractions.