Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Fractions of Amounts Match: Free Printable Game for Year 3
- ForYear 3
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Fractions of Amounts Match is a free printable game for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children join each fraction to its answer. To do it they share small amounts into equal groups, so they practise unit fractions of amounts and the division facts behind them. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
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. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children look at a set of fractions of amounts and join each one to its answer by drawing a line. To find a match, they share the amount into equal groups, using counters or pasta if they want to. The sheet works with halves, quarters and thirds. Children have to think about how many groups to make and how many go in each one before they commit to a line.
A worked example
What is 1/4 of 20?
This is a different question from the sheet. It shows two ways children can work.
Method 1: share it out- Count out 20 counters.
- The 4 in 1/4 tells us to make 4 equal groups. Deal the counters one at a time into the 4 groups.
- Each group ends up with 5 counters. One group is 1/4 of the amount.
- 1/4 of an amount means the amount shared into 4 equal parts, so write 20 ÷ 4.
- Think of the 4 times table: 4 × 5 = 20, so 20 ÷ 4 = 5.
What is a fraction of an amount?
A fraction of an amount tells us the size of one part, or several parts, when a whole amount is shared into equal groups. The bottom number, the denominator, says how many equal groups to make. The top number, the numerator, says how many of those groups we take. For a unit fraction the top number is 1, so we take just one group.
Year 3 children often meet fractions as shapes first. Fractions of amounts move the idea onto sets of objects, such as counters, sweets or pencils. This is where fractions and division join up. Finding a quarter of an amount is the same calculation as sharing it equally between four. Seeing that link helps division facts feel useful, not just something to memorise.
Skills and curriculum link
- Unit fractions of amounts
- Division facts
- Sharing into equal groups
- Matching
- Reasoning about fractions
Ideas that help with fractions of amounts
- The bottom number is the number of groupsIn a fraction like 1/3, the 3 tells us to share into three equal groups. It does not tell us how many are in each group.
- Groups must be equalA fraction only works when the parts are the same size. If one group has more, the sharing is not fair and the fraction is not right.
- Fractions and division are linkedFinding one part of an amount is a division calculation. Knowing the times tables helps, because division undoes multiplication.
- Check by multiplyingCount how many are in one group, then multiply by the number of groups. If you get back to the starting amount, the sharing was correct.
Key words
- FractionA part of a whole or of an amount, made by sharing into equal parts.
- Unit fractionA fraction with 1 on top, such as 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4.
- NumeratorThe top number of a fraction. It says how many parts we take.
- DenominatorThe bottom number of a fraction. It says how many equal parts the whole is shared into.
- Equal groupsGroups that all have the same number in them.
- DivideShare an amount into equal groups, or find how many equal groups can be made.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown-up.
- Read the instructions together. Ask your child what the bottom number of a fraction tells them to do.
- Let them use counters or pasta to share each amount into equal groups. Then they draw the line to the matching answer.
- Check together using the notes on page 2. Ask, "How did you work that out?" The thinking matters as much as the match.
- Come back another day and try the matches that felt tricky again. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Start with the halves, then move on to quarters, then thirds. Use counters or pasta and share them one at a time into the groups, like dealing cards. Say what you are doing out loud: "two groups, so one for you, one for me."
To stretch confident children
Ask for 3/4 of 12 as a follow up, using what was found for 1/4 of 12. Then ask your child to explain why the second answer is linked to the first. Let them make up their own question for you.
Make it a game
Play with real snacks. Count out an amount, share it fairly onto plates and name the fraction on each plate. Swap roles so your child sets the challenge. An adult does any cutting or kitchen work. Eat the snacks at the end.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child divides by the top number instead of the bottom number.
Try thisRemind them the bottom number says how many groups to make. Share counters into that many groups and look at what is in one group.
Watch forThe groups are not equal, so the answer is wrong.
Try thisCount each group. Ask, "Is it fair?" Move counters between groups until every group matches.
Watch forA child gives the number of groups as the answer, not the amount in one group.
Try thisPoint to one group and ask, "How many are in this one?" That is the answer. The number of groups is already in the fraction.
Talk about it
- How do you know how many groups to make?
- What happens to the answer if you share the same amount into more groups?
- Can you show me a fair share with counters?
- Which division fact helped you with this one?
- Is half of an amount always bigger than a quarter of the same amount? Why?
- Can you think of a time you shared something equally?
Take it off the page
Fair shares at snack time
Ask your child to share crackers or raisins fairly between family members. Then ask them to name the fraction each person gets. An adult handles any cutting.
Sock and pasta sorting
Count out a set of pasta shapes or pairs of socks. Share them into two, three or four equal piles and say what fraction of the set is in one pile.
Fraction shop
Make a pretend shop with price tags written as fractions of a set, such as 1/2 of the apples. Children give the customer the right number of items.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first few matches, then let them lead. Use counters, pasta or coins at the table. If they get stuck, ask them to share the amount out before they draw the line.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The sharing method works well for children who need concrete support, and the stretch idea gives others something to reason about.
Home educators
Pair it with everyday sharing, such as dividing fruit, cards or building bricks. The sheet can be printed again for brothers and sisters or used for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in maths
Before this, children learn to count in equal steps, use the times tables and share objects into equal groups. They also meet fractions as parts of shapes. These skills give them the sharing idea and the division facts they need for fractions of amounts.
Year 3 also includes fractions with a number other than 1 on top, for small sets and small denominators. The stretch idea on this sheet points that way. In later years children go on to work with more fractions, equivalent fractions and fractions of larger amounts, building on the same link between fractions and division.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Fractions of Amounts Match for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8) in Key Stage 2. It also suits children in Year 4 who need more practice, or Year 2 children who are ready for a challenge.
- What will children practise?
Children practise finding unit fractions of small amounts by sharing them into equal groups. They also use division facts and make matches by reasoning about which answer fits each fraction.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2. Let them use counters or pasta to share each amount into equal groups, then draw the line to the matching answer.
- What if it feels too hard?
Do the halves first, then move on to quarters and then thirds. Use counters or pasta to share each amount out one at a time. Work through the first few matches together and talk about each choice.
- Is it free to print?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, and black and white printing on plain A4 paper works well.
- Is it suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- How long does it take?
It depends on the child. Some will finish in one go, others prefer to do a few matches and come back later. Stop when interest fades. A short, happy session is better than a long, tired one.
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.