Calculating a fraction of a whole number amount using: (1) divide the amount by the denominator to find one part, (2) multiply by the numerator. Example: ¾ of 60 → 60÷4=15, then 15×3=45.
Where your child meets this in real life: Calculating sale prices (¼ off), or portions (⅔ of the class)
SEAGReady breaks find fraction of an amount into 2 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Find unit fractions (1/n) of whole number amounts by dividing the amount by the denominator
Find non-unit fractions (a/b where a>1) of amounts using the divide-then-multiply procedure
Three free sample questions from our find fraction of an amount course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Sean has 20 marbles. He gives 1/4 of them to his friend. How many marbles does he give away?
Answer: A. 5 marbles
To find 1/4 of 20, divide 20 by the denominator (4). 20 ÷ 4 = 5 Sean gives away 5 marbles.
Stuck? Start here: What does the bottom number (4) tell you to do?
Niamh has saved £20. She spends 3/4 of her savings on a book. How much does she spend?
Answer: B. £15
To find 3/4 of £20: Step 1: Divide by the denominator: £20 ÷ 4 = £5 Step 2: Multiply by the numerator: £5 × 3 = £15 Niamh spends £15.
Stuck? Start here: Remember: first divide by the bottom number, then multiply by the top number.
A class in Bangor has 30 pupils. 1/5 of the pupils are absent today. How many pupils are absent?
Answer: C. 6 pupils
To find 1/5 of 30, divide 30 by the denominator (5). 30 ÷ 5 = 6 6 pupils are absent.
Stuck? Start here: The denominator is 5. What operation do you need?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ciara has 24 sweets to share equally among 4 friends at her birthday party.
How many sweets does each friend get? This is the same as finding 1/4 of 24.
1/4 of 24
Step 1 of 3
Ciara has 24 sweets to share equally among 4 friends at her birthday party.
How many sweets does each friend get? This is the same as finding 1/4 of 24.
Each friend gets 6 sweets. So 1/4 of 24 is 6.
The key insight: Finding a unit fraction of an amount is just dividing by the bottom number!
Watch out: 1/4 of 24 = 24 ÷ 1 = 24. Divide by the denominator (bottom), not the numerator (top).
These are the misconceptions we see most often in find fraction of an amount, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with find fraction of an amount? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.