Functions
AI Assistant

Fractions

See fractions as pieces of a bar — then compare and combine them

A fraction like 3/4 means you split something into 4 equal parts and take 3 of them. But what does that really look like?

In this lesson, the AI builds bar models on the graph — rectangles split into equal slices. You can see that 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6 because the shaded area is the same size. Adding fractions? Just find a common split and count the shaded pieces.

Ask the AI to show you any fraction — try "Show me 2/3" or "Which is bigger, 3/5 or 2/3?"

Graph

FAQ

What is a fraction?
A fraction represents a part of a whole. The bottom number (denominator) tells you how many equal parts the whole is split into. The top number (numerator) tells you how many parts you have. For example, 3/4 means 3 out of 4 equal parts.
How do I find equivalent fractions?
Multiply (or divide) both the numerator and denominator by the same number. 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6 = 4/8 — they all represent the same amount. The bar model makes this visible: the shaded region is always the same size.
How do I add fractions with different denominators?
Find a common denominator first. For example, to add 1/3 + 1/4, rewrite as 4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12. The bar model shows why: you need the same-sized pieces before you can count them together.
How do I compare fractions?
Either find a common denominator and compare numerators, or convert to decimals. On the bar model, the fraction with more shaded area is larger. For example, 3/5 = 0.6 and 2/3 ≈ 0.667, so 2/3 is slightly bigger.

Related Topics

Ratios & ProportionsIntroduction to AlgebraVisual Word Problems