Understanding Equal Parts in Fractions

Talking about a part, it is a fraction of the whole substance. It is a fragment or a portion of something which we can define as something less than the entire object. Similarly, a part has been defined by different terms, including a fraction, element, share, portion, piece, and many more. When it is about defining a part, there comes a new term called equal parts. The article below will understand what a part is, how parts make up a new substance, its basic definition, and some fun facts. 

What is the Definition of Part?

Let us define part with the help of a basic example of a circle. When we draw a line joining one point on the circle to the other point, it will be divided into parts. These may be equal or unequal. If these parts are unequal, then they will form a big and a small part. Look in the figure below:

In the diagram above, AB is the line drawn from one point to another point of the circle. With this line, the circle is divided into two uneven parts of maths. It clearly explains the part definition. 

I am considering the same circle. Now we will learn how it is divided into equal parts. Let the line pass through the centre of the circle that is a diameter. Look for the below diagram:

In the diagram above, a line is drawn passing through the centre of the circle. Thus it will divide the circle into two equal parts. 

It is even easy to divide a circle into different uniforms and even parts. The fact is, angle subtended by arcs must be equal. As if the arcs subtend 120° in the centre of the circle, then the circle is divided into three equal parts. 

Counting and Comparing Uniform Parts

Before we say parts are equal, we need to look into various facts, including looking and comparing each part with others. When you find parts in the same shape and size, they are equal and identical. 

One basic example that we generally study before diving into the concept of even parts is folding a sheet of paper. Let us take a sheet of paper and divide it from the centre by drawing a straight line. Make a fold along this line, the sheet will be divided, and it is to define parts in even shape and size. 

Now try the same activity and explain it to your friends by dividing this paper into non-uniform parts of maths. 

Now try to find what common problems your friend has faced. The fact is, students fail to recognise if the parts are equal or of identical size. It could happen if we place one shape in the inverted form to another. However, it is their mental ability to catch the right results. 

More Examples for Part Definition

1: Count and Tell if Parts are Uniform and Equal.

In the above picture, there are three squares. In the first example, a square is divided into 2 Halves, a second into 3 thirds, and a third into 4 fourths.

2: According to the part definition of uniform part, check if the below diagram gives you equal shapes or not.

In the above picture, there are three figures (A), (B), and (C). In figure (A), there are four equal squares. In figure (B), 6 equal triangles make one hexagon, and in figure (C), there are two unequal parts as the division is uneven. 

3: Count the equal shapes and find the numbers to find the total.

According to the above question, the first example has 1+2= 3 apples. 

Second example has 2 + 2 = 4 apples.

Third example has 3 + 1 = 4 apples. 

Fun Facts For Parts of Maths

• You divide if a shape has equal divisions by looking at its parts and comparing if these are equal.

• If a shape has three uniform parts, it is called thirds.

• To name the number of equal shapes, count them, and give the total count ending with “s” (valid till number four).  

• When we divide an object into two parts, there is a possibility of equal or unequal. 

• In the concept of a fraction as a whole, the numerator must be divisible by the denominator.