Thirds: When a shape or object is divided into 3 equal parts, each part is called a third.
Note: The fraction for one third is written as 1/3, for two thirds as 2/3, and for three thirds as 3/3.
- Take a whole object (like a circle or rectangle)
- Divide it into 3 equal parts
- Each part is called a third
- Understand that 3 thirds make a whole
We begin with one complete shape
Each part must be exactly the same size
Each part is called a third
3 thirds = 1 whole
Dividing into thirds means splitting something into 3 equal parts, where each part is called a third.
• Equal parts: All 3 parts must be the same size
• Whole relationship: 3 thirds make 1 whole
• Part naming: Each of the 3 parts is called a third
• Practice Tip: Use real objects like pizzas or chocolate bars to visualize thirds
- Dividing a pizza into 3 equal slices
- Cutting a cake into 3 equal pieces
- Sharing a chocolate bar equally among 3 friends
- Thirds always mean dividing into 3 equal parts
- Look for 3 identical sections in the shape
- The fraction for thirds is always something over 3
Thirds in circles: When a circle is divided into 3 equal parts, each part is called a third.
Note: The fraction for one third is written as 1/3, for two thirds as 2/3, and for three thirds as 3/3.
- Draw a circle
- Divide it into 3 equal sectors
- Each sector represents one third
- Label each part as 1/3
Create a complete circular shape
Each part should be exactly the same size
Each sector is one third of the circle
Each part represents 1/3 of the circle
Each part represents 1/3 of the circle
• Equal parts: All 3 parts must be the same size
• Circle division: Each sector is 120 degrees
• Fraction representation: Each part is 1/3
• Practice Tip: Use a pizza or pie to demonstrate circle thirds
- Pizza cut into 3 equal slices: each slice is 1/3
- Cookie cut into 3 pieces: each piece is 1/3
- Round cake divided into 3: each piece is 1/3
- Circle thirds are created by cutting from center to edge at 120-degree angles
- Each slice should look identical in size and shape
- Remember: 3 thirds make the whole circle
Thirds in rectangles: When a rectangle is divided into 3 equal parts, each part is called a third.
Note: The fraction for one third is written as 1/3, for two thirds as 2/3, and for three thirds as 3/3.
- Draw a rectangle
- Divide it into 3 equal columns or rows
- Each column/row represents one third
- Label each part as 1/3
Create a complete rectangular shape
Each part should be exactly the same size
Each column is one third of the rectangle
Each part represents 1/3 of the rectangle
Each part represents 1/3 of the rectangle
• Equal parts: All 3 parts must be the same size
• Rectangle division: Each column is 1/3 of width
• Fraction representation: Each part is 1/3
• Practice Tip: Use a chocolate bar to demonstrate rectangle thirds
- Chocolate bar divided into 3 pieces: each piece is 1/3
- Rectangle paper folded into 3: each section is 1/3
- Bread loaf cut into 3 slices: each slice is 1/3
- Rectangle thirds can be created by vertical or horizontal divisions
- Each section should look identical in size and shape
- Remember: 3 thirds make the whole rectangle
Thirds in triangles: When a triangle is divided into 3 equal parts, each part is called a third.
Note: The fraction for one third is written as 1/3, for two thirds as 2/3, and for three thirds as 3/3.
- Draw a triangle
- Divide it into 3 equal sections
- Each section represents one third
- Label each part as 1/3
Create a complete triangular shape
Each part should be exactly the same size
Each section is one third of the triangle
Each part represents 1/3 of the triangle
Each part represents 1/3 of the triangle
• Equal parts: All 3 parts must be the same size
• Triangle division: Each section has equal area
• Fraction representation: Each part is 1/3
• Practice Tip: Use triangular cookies or sandwiches to demonstrate triangle thirds
- Triangular cookie cut into 3 pieces: each piece is 1/3
- Triangle pizza slice divided into 3: each part is 1/3
- Triangular sandwich cut into 3: each part is 1/3
- Triangle thirds can be created by horizontal or vertical divisions
- Each section should have equal area
- Remember: 3 thirds make the whole triangle
Thirds on number line: When a unit interval is divided into 3 equal parts, each part represents one third.
Note: The first mark represents 1/3, the second mark represents 2/3, and the third mark represents 3/3 (which equals 1).
- Draw a number line from 0 to 1
- Divide the interval into 3 equal parts
- Mark the first and second division points
- Label the points as 1/3 and 2/3
Create a line segment from 0 to 1
Split the interval into 3 equal segments
Place points at 1/3 and 2/3 positions
These points represent 1/3 and 2/3
The first point represents 1/3 and the second point represents 2/3
• Equal intervals: Each segment must be the same length
• Thirds: Divide interval into 3 equal parts
• Numerator progression: 1/3, 2/3, 3/3
• Practice Tip: Count the total parts (denominator) and marked parts (numerator)
- Between 0 and 1: 1/3, 2/3
- Between 1 and 2: 1 1/3, 1 2/3
- Between 2 and 3: 2 1/3, 2 2/3
- Thirds always divide the interval into 3 equal parts
- Look for 3 identical segments between two numbers
- The fraction for thirds always has 3 in the denominator
Course Structure
Thirds: When a shape or object is divided into 3 equal parts
Equal parts: All 3 parts must be the same size and shape
Fraction notation: 1/3, 2/3, 3/3
Use concrete objects like pizzas, pies, or chocolate bars to demonstrate thirds. Have students physically divide objects into 3 equal parts to understand the concept.
Show various shapes (circles, rectangles, triangles) divided into thirds. Emphasize that all parts must be equal in size and shape for valid thirds.