3rd Grade · Number & Operations - Fractions
3.NF.A.1: Understand what a fraction means: 3/4 is 3 of 4 equal parts
3.NF.A.1 is a 3rd grade Common Core math standard in Number & Operations - Fractions. Here’s what it really covers, and how you can help your students learn it.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
The standard
Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b.
In plain words
Understand what a fraction means: 3/4 is 3 of 4 equal parts.
Sample questions from student practice
These questions from Bobby's Math Club are the kinds of questions your students will see. You can try answering them to see what a student might see.
Question 1 of 3
Tariq is painting this paper strip blue for a class banner. So far he has painted the blue parts. What fraction of the strip does he still need to paint?
- 5/3
- 3/8
- 5/8
Where students can get stuck
- Calling any piece a fraction even when the pieces differ in size, such as saying 4 uneven pizza slices show fourths.
- Thinking 1/8 is bigger than 1/4 because 8 is bigger than 4.
- Counting shaded and unshaded parts instead of shaded and total parts, so 3 of 4 parts shaded becomes 3/1.
Effective teaching strategies
- Fold paper strips into halves, thirds, and fourths, and have students name one equal part before naming several.
- Ask students to shade 3/4 of a bar and say what the 3 and the 4 each count, using the words numerator and denominator.
- Ask “one fourth of what?” whenever students name a fraction, so they see that the whole and the equal parts both matter.
Units that teach this standard
Find where 3.NF.A.1 lands in the program you teach. Each unit has a guide written for families. Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence.
Bridges in Mathematics
enVision Mathematics
Eureka Math²
Everyday Mathematics
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics
Into Math
Math Expressions
Reveal Math
Zearn Math
Don’t see your curriculum? Contact Bobby and we’ll see if we can help!
Share it with families
Families can read What a fraction like 3/4 means for a plain-language look at this skill, with three questions to try together and ideas for helping at home.
Help every student practice fractions at home
In Bobby's Math Club, students practice at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free for every family.
See how it works for teachers
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.