Fraction Bars & Circles

An on-screen fraction manipulative that draws fractions as bars or circle pieces, compares their sizes, and shows equivalent fractions, common denominators and adding fractions in pictures. Use it when children first learn fractions or compare them.

How to use

1. At the top, choose "Bars" or "Circles" under "Show as".
2. On "Compare", change the "Numerator" and "Denominator" and press "Add a fraction" for more. The signs >, < or = appear between them, with the order from smallest to largest.
3. "Equivalent fractions" lines up fractions of the same size, such as 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6. "Add" joins two fractions in one bar to show the sum.
4. On "Fraction wall", view strips from 1 down to 1/12 and press "Print fraction strips" to print them.

How it works

• "Compare" holds up to 6 fractions, with numerators 0 to 24 and denominators 1 to 24. When the numerator is larger than the denominator, the mixed number is shown too.
• "Show the common denominator steps" finds the least common multiple of the denominators, rewrites every fraction with that denominator and then compares the numerators.
• Tap a piece to shade it or clear it. "Large text" and "Full screen" help on a classroom screen.

Questions and answers

Which is bigger, 1/3 or 2/5?

With the common denominator 15, they are 5/15 and 6/15, so 2/5 is bigger. Put both on "Compare" and open "Show the common denominator steps" to see this.

How do you find equivalent fractions?

Multiply the numerator and the denominator by the same number. 1/2 equals 2/4, 3/6 and 4/8. "Denominators up to" shows them up to 12 or 24.

How do you add fractions with different denominators?

Cut both fractions into pieces of the same size, then count the pieces together. 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.

Can I print fraction strips?

Yes. On "Fraction wall", choose the last row (1/6, 1/8, 1/10 or 1/12) under "Rows down to" and press "Print fraction strips".