Summary
Chapter 2 of the Class 5 Mathematics NCERT textbook (Maths Mela), "Fractions", covers equivalent fractions, comparing fractions with the same denominator or numerator, and fractions greater than 1 — download the PDF and read a summary of how the chapter uses grids, fraction kits, parathas, and number lines to build these concepts through hands-on exploration.
- Equivalent Fractions — The chapter shows that the same shaded region of a whole can be named in multiple ways. For example, 1/3, 2/6, 3/9, and 4/12 all represent the same part of a whole; these are called equivalent fractions. Students discover this by dividing shapes into more equal parts and by using a physical fraction kit.
- Comparing Fractions — Same Denominator and Same Numerator — When fractions share a denominator, the one with the larger numerator is greater (2/3 > 1/3). When fractions share a numerator, the one with the smaller denominator is greater, because each piece is larger — so 4/5 > 4/6 since a 1/5 piece is bigger than a 1/6 piece.
- Fractions Greater Than 1 — The chapter introduces fractions whose numerator exceeds their denominator, such as 5/2 or 9/4, and shows they represent more than one whole. Using parathas cut into halves or fourths and number lines, students learn that 5/2 equals 2 and 1/2 parathas, and 9/4 equals 2 and 1/4 parathas.
- Comparing Fractions Using 1 and 1/2 as Benchmarks — Students compare fractions by checking whether each is less than, equal to, or greater than 1 (or 1/2). For instance, 7/8 is less than 1 and 8/6 is more than 1, so 7/8 < 8/6. Similarly, 3/6 equals 1/2 but 5/8 is more than 1/2, so 5/8 > 3/6.
Key points & formulas
- 01To compare two fractions of two wholes, the wholes must be of the same size — 1/2 of a bigger chocolate can be larger than 1/3 of a smaller one.
- 02Equivalent fractions name the same part of a whole differently; 1/3 = 2/6 = 3/9 = 4/12 is one pattern the chapter develops.
- 03When denominators are the same, the fraction with the more pieces (higher numerator) is greater: 2/3 > 1/3.
- 04When numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is greater, because each individual piece is larger: 4/5 > 4/6.
- 05Fractions greater than 1 arise when the numerator exceeds the denominator; 5 halves (5/2) equal 2 and 1/2 wholes, shown on a number line.
- 06Number lines are used throughout to place and compare fractions, including fractions greater than 1, by marking equal divisions between whole numbers.
- 07The benchmark of 1/2 is used as a reference to compare fractions: a fraction is less than 1/2 if its numerator is less than half its denominator.
Frequently asked questions
01What is the main topic of Chapter 2 in Class 5 Maths Mela?
Chapter 2 is about fractions. It covers comparing fractions, finding equivalent fractions, understanding fractions greater than 1, and using number lines to represent fractions.
02What are equivalent fractions?
Equivalent fractions are fractions that show the same part of a whole but have different names. For example, 1/3, 2/6, 3/9, and 4/12 all represent the same shaded region and are therefore equivalent to each other.
03How do you generate equivalent fractions for a given fraction?
You can generate equivalent fractions by dividing a whole into more equal parts. For example, starting with 1/3, drawing horizontal lines to divide each part further gives 2/6, 3/9, 4/12, and so on — each showing the same region with a different name.
04How do you compare two fractions that have the same denominator?
When fractions have the same denominator, the one with the larger numerator is greater. For example, Shami ate 2/3 of a chikki and Sevi ate 1/3, so Shami ate more because 2/3 is greater than 1/3.
05How do you compare two fractions that have the same numerator but different denominators?
When fractions have the same numerator, the one with the smaller denominator is greater, because each piece is larger when the whole is divided into fewer parts. For instance, 4/5 is greater than 4/6 because a 1/5 piece is bigger than a 1/6 piece.
06What is an important rule before comparing a fraction of one chocolate to a fraction of another?
To compare two fractions of two different wholes, the wholes must be the same size. For example, 1/2 of a big chocolate can be larger than 1/3 of a smaller chocolate, so the comparison is only valid when the wholes are identical.
07Can a fraction be greater than 1, and how does the chapter show this?
Yes, a fraction can be greater than 1. The chapter shows this using parathas — for example, Radhika took 6 pieces of 1/2 paratha, which equals 6/2 or 3 whole parathas, a value greater than 1.
08How is a number line used to show fractions greater than 1?
The distance between 0 and 1 is divided into equal parts matching the denominator; for example, dividing it into 2 equal parts makes each part 1/2. Placing 5 such halves next to each other on the number line lands at 5/2, which equals 2 and 1/2.
09How many 1/2 pieces make a whole, and how many make 2 whole parathas?
Two 1/2 pieces make one whole paratha. Four 1/2 pieces (4/2) make exactly 2 whole parathas, as shown on the number line in the chapter.
10How can you compare fractions using 1 as a reference point?
A fraction whose numerator is less than its denominator is less than 1, while a fraction whose numerator is greater than its denominator is more than 1. So 7/8 is less than 1 and 8/6 is more than 1, which means 7/8 is less than 8/6.
11How can you compare fractions using 1/2 as a reference?
A fraction equals 1/2 when its numerator is exactly half its denominator (for example, 3/6 = 1/2). To compare 5/8 and 3/6, the chapter shows that 3/6 is exactly half while 5/8 is more than half, so 5/8 is greater than 3/6.
12What did Dadaji eat when he took 9 pieces of 1/4 paratha, and how is it worked out?
Dadaji ate 9/4 parathas, which equals 2 and 1/4 parathas. This is because 4 one-fourths make 1 whole, so 8 one-fourths make 2 wholes and 1 one-fourth remains, giving 2 1/4 parathas total.
More chapters in Maths Mela
Read Chapter 2 of Maths Mela, the Class 5 Mathematics NCERT textbook (2026-27 edition), online for free: the complete chapter as published by NCERT with every diagram, solved example and exercise, with step-by-step solutions, answers and revision notes. Open the NCERT PDF above, or browse all NCERT Class 5 textbooks.
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