Year 6 Arithmetic (SATs) · Fractions · Summary
Year 6 Arithmetic (SATs) Fractions: summary and key words
Part of the Year 6 Arithmetic (SATs) fractions chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Simplify | Divide the top and bottom by their highest common factor: 36/48 = 3/4. |
| Equivalent fraction | Multiply the top and bottom by the same number: 3/5 = 12/20. |
| Compare | Write with a common denominator, then compare the tops. |
| Mixed and improper | 2 3/4 = 11/4 (2 × 4 + 3); 17/5 = 3 2/5 (17 ÷ 5 = 3 remainder 2). |
| Add and subtract | Common denominator, equivalent fractions, then add or subtract the tops. |
| Multiply | Fraction × whole: multiply the top. Fraction × fraction: multiply tops and bottoms. |
| Divide by whole | Keep the top, multiply the bottom: 3/4 ÷ 6 = 3/24 = 1/8. |
| Decimal | Make the bottom 10, 100 or 1000: 4/5 = 8/10 = 0.8. |
Can you…?
- I can simplify a fraction to its simplest form
- I can find equivalent fractions and compare fractions with different bottoms
- I can change between mixed numbers and improper fractions
- I can add and subtract fractions with different bottoms
- I can multiply and divide fractions, and simplify the answer
- I can write a fraction as a decimal
Key terms
- equivalent fraction
- a fraction with the same value written with different numbers
- simplest form
- a fraction that cannot be made smaller by dividing the top and bottom by the same number
- highest common factor
- the biggest number that divides exactly into two or more numbers
- common denominator
- the same bottom number for two or more fractions
- mixed number
- a whole number with a fraction, such as 2 3/4
- improper fraction
- a fraction with a top number bigger than the bottom, such as 11/4
- proper fraction
- a fraction with a top number smaller than the bottom, such as 3/4