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Fraction Twins Detective: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 3

  • ForYear 3
  • StageKey Stage 2
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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Fraction Twins Detective is a free printable equivalent fractions worksheet for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children look at a bar with some parts shaded, draw a new bar cut into a different number of equal parts, and shade the twin that covers the same amount. Then they write each twin fraction and use a key to crack the secret word.

It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. It has notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

Children meet case files labelled with letters. Each case shows a bar with some parts shaded. Children use a ruler to draw a new bar with a different number of equal parts, then shade the twin. They write the twin fraction for each case. Finally they use the key to find each letter and write the secret word. There is space on the sheet for drawing and writing.

  • Case A: [X][ ]. Draw a bar of 4 equal parts. Shade the twin.
  • Case B: [X][ ][ ][ ]. Draw a bar of 8 equal parts. Shade the twin.
  • Case C: [X][X][ ]. Draw a bar of 6 equal parts. Shade the twin.
  • Case D: [X][ ][ ][ ][ ]. Draw a bar of 10 equal parts. Shade the twin.
  • Write the twin fraction for Cases A, B, C and D.
  • Use the key to find each letter. Write the secret word.

What are equivalent fractions?

Equivalent fractions are fractions that name the same amount in different ways. Picture a bar that always stays the same length. If you cut it into more equal parts, each part gets smaller, so you need more parts to cover the same space. The shaded amount has not changed. Only the way we count it has changed. Drawing makes this easy to see.

In Year 3, the National Curriculum for England asks children to recognise and show, using diagrams, equivalent fractions with small denominators. Pictures come first because they let children see why two fractions match. Rules for working with the numbers come later. A code puzzle adds a reason to check each answer carefully.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Equivalent fractions
  • Drawing equal parts
  • Shading diagrams
  • Using a ruler
  • Following a code

Ideas that help with fraction twins

  • Equal parts matterA fraction only works when the parts are the same size. If the parts in a bar are uneven, the shading cannot be compared fairly.
  • Same amount, new nameTwin fractions cover the same amount of the bar. The fraction looks different because the whole is cut into a different number of parts.
  • Two numbers, two jobsThe bottom number tells you how many equal parts the whole is cut into. The top number tells you how many of those parts are counted.
  • Compare by lining upPlace two bars one above the other with their ends lined up. If the shading finishes at the same point, the fractions are twins.

Key words

  • FractionA number that describes part of a whole. The whole is cut into equal parts.
  • Equal partsParts that are exactly the same size.
  • EquivalentWorth the same amount. Equivalent fractions cover the same amount of a whole.
  • Twin fractionOn this sheet, a fraction that names the same amount as the one you started with.
  • DenominatorThe bottom number of a fraction. It tells you how many equal parts the whole is cut into.
  • NumeratorThe top number of a fraction. It tells you how many parts are counted.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
  2. Read the first case together. Ask your child what the shaded part of the bar shows before they draw anything.
  3. Let them draw each new bar with a ruler and split it into equal parts. Check the parts really are equal before they shade.
  4. Once the twins are shaded and written, use the key to find each letter and write the secret word.
  5. Check against page 2 and ask, "How do you know these are twins?" Come back another day to repeat it. A familiar activity builds confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Give your child bars that are already drawn and cut into equal parts, so they only have to shade. Let them lay the new bar beside the old one and check that the shading ends in the same place. Do one case together first.

To stretch confident children

Invent your own case file. Draw a bar, shade some parts, and choose a twin fraction for a partner to find. Give it a letter and a key entry. Swap files and solve each other's cases. Check each answer by lining up the bars.

Make it a game

Be a detective team. One child draws and shades the twin. The other checks that the parts are equal and that the shading matches the first bar. Then swap jobs for the next case. Talk about how you both know the twin is right.

Mistakes to watch for

Watch forA child draws parts of different widths, so the bar cannot be compared fairly.

Try thisChoose a bar length that splits evenly, such as 12 cm, which is 120 mm. Measure and mark each part with a ruler. Check by comparing the widths.

Watch forA child shades the same number of parts in the new bar as in the first bar.

Try thisLay the two bars one above the other. Ask whether the shading ends at the same place. If not, shade more or fewer parts until it does.

Watch forA child writes the fraction upside down, with the number of parts on top.

Try thisRemind them that the bottom number names the equal parts in the whole. The top number counts the shaded parts. Say it aloud as they write.

Talk about it

  • What does the shaded part of the bar show?
  • How can you tell the parts in your bar are equal?
  • Why do you need more parts to cover the same space when each part is smaller?
  • How could you check that two bars are twins without writing any numbers?
  • Which case did you find easiest, and why?
  • How would you explain twin fractions to a younger child?

Take it off the page

Fold a paper strip

Fold a strip of paper into equal parts and shade some of them. Fold a second strip of the same length into a different number of equal parts. Shade it to match the first.

Detective notebook

Make a small notebook of fraction cases. Draw a shaded bar on each page and leave a blank bar underneath for a family member to shade the twin.

Colour the matching bars

Draw several bars of the same length, each cut into different numbers of equal parts. Shade some, then colour matching shaded lengths in the same colour.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit with your child for the first case, then let them lead. Ask them to explain how they know a twin is right. Praise careful drawing as well as correct answers. Stop when they have had enough and come back another day.

Teachers

Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Use page 2 for support and stretch with mixed ability groups, and listen for children explaining why the bars match.

Home educators

Print it as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with folding paper strips and everyday fair sharing talk. Use it again for brothers and sisters, or as a quick revision task a few weeks later.

Where this fits

Before this, children learn to recognise and name simple fractions of a whole, and to understand that the parts must be equal. Drawing and shading bars builds on that work.

After this, children use equivalent fractions to compare and order fractions, and to add and subtract fractions with the same denominator. Later in Key Stage 2 they work with the numbers more formally. Pictures like these give them an idea to come back to.

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Fraction Twins Detective for?

It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. It can also work as revision for older children who need to feel more secure with equivalent fractions.

What will children practise?

Children practise showing equivalent fractions with small denominators by shading diagrams cut into different numbers of equal parts. They also use a ruler and follow a code to find a secret word.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London.

How do I use it?

Print both pages. Children draw bars with a ruler, split them into equal parts, then shade. Check the parts really are equal before decoding. Use page 2 for notes and answers.

What if it feels too hard?

Give your child bars that are already drawn and cut into equal parts, so they only have to shade. Work through the first case together and talk about each choice.

Do I need to print in colour?

No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. A pencil and a ruler are all your child needs.

Is this a screen free activity?

Yes. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper, a pencil and a ruler. It works well for quiet time, rainy days, school holidays and classroom tables.

Preview the full PDF

Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.

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