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Tamil Nadu (TNBSE)Class 4 Mathematics★ 6-7 marks in TN Class 4 exams — equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, adding/subtracting like fractions

Fractions

Samacheer Kalvi (TN State Board) Class 4 Mathematics — Chapter 6, Fractions. Halves, quarters and simple fractions. Study notes, key concepts, worked examples, practice questions and quick revision for exam preparation.

⏱ 12 min readMedium difficulty✓ Free · NCERT-aligned

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By the end of this chapter you'll be able to…

1Identify numerator (top) and denominator (bottom); denominator tells you how many equal parts the whole is divided into
2Differentiate proper fractions (numerator < denominator: 3/4, 2/5), improper fractions (numerator ≥ denominator: 5/3, 7/4), and mixed fractions (whole + proper: 1 1/2, 2 3/4)
3Find equivalent fractions by multiplying/dividing numerator and denominator by the same number (1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6 = 4/8)
4Compare fractions with same denominator (3/8 < 5/8) or same numerator (3/5 > 3/7)
5Add and subtract like fractions (same denominator): 3/8 + 2/8 = 5/8; 7/9 − 4/9 = 3/9 = 1/3

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Why this chapter matters

Fractions are the first truly abstract mathematical concept children encounter. A fraction like 3/4 represents something you cannot count with your fingers — it represents a PART of a whole. Class 4 introduces types of fractions (proper, improper, mixed), equivalent fractions (1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8), comparing fractions, and adding/subtracting like fractions. This is the foundation for decimals, percentages, ratios, and algebra in later years.

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Fractions — Class 4 Mathematics (Samacheer Kalvi)

TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 4 Mathematics, Chapter 6. Halves, quarters and simple fractions.

1. About this chapter

This chapter covers Fractions as part of the Class 4 Samacheer Kalvi Mathematics curriculum. It deals with halves, quarters and simple fractions and builds conceptual understanding essential for the TN School Term Exam.

By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:

Identify and represent simple fractions
Compare like fractions

2. Key concepts

Concept 1: Identify and represent simple fractions.
Concept 2: Compare like fractions.

3. Important terms and formulas

Term / Formula	Description
Identify and represent simple…	Identify and represent simple fractions
Compare like fractions…	Compare like fractions

4. Worked examples

Example 1. Applying a key concept from this chapter.

Solution: Identify the relevant principle → apply the formula or rule → state the answer with correct units.

Example 2. A typical exam-style question on fractions.

Solution: Break the problem into steps, use the appropriate formula and verify the answer.

5. Common mistakes

Mistake: Skipping units or forgetting to state them. Fix: Always write units alongside every quantity and answer.
Mistake: Confusing similar terms or concepts in this chapter. Fix: Make a comparison table of the terms during revision.

6. Practice (exam-style)

Define the main term or principle covered in Chapter 6.
Give two real-life examples related to fractions.
Solve a short numerical or descriptive question from this chapter.
State one important formula and explain each symbol.

7. Answer key (hints)

Refer to section 2 (Key concepts) above for the definition.
Examples should be drawn from daily experience and local context.
Apply the formula from section 3, show all steps clearly.
Formula with units — refer to the textbook glossary for symbol meanings.

8. Quick revision

Class 4 Mathematics — Chapter 6: Fractions.
Core idea: Halves, quarters and simple fractions.
Key outcomes: Identify and represent simple fractions; Compare like fractions.
Always revise diagrams / tables from the Samacheer Kalvi textbook before the exam.

Key formulas & results

Everything you need to memorise, in one card. Screenshot this for revision.

Equivalent fractions

Multiply or divide BOTH numerator and denominator by the SAME number. 1/2 × 3/3 = 3/6. 4/8 ÷ 2/2 = 2/4 ÷ 2/2 = 1/2.

Equivalent fractions represent the SAME amount. Half a pizza can be cut as 1/2, 2/4, 3/6, or 4/8 — all of these are the same quantity.

Like fractions

Fractions with the SAME denominator are like fractions. To add: add numerators, keep denominator same. 2/7 + 3/7 = 5/7. To subtract: subtract numerators, keep denominator same. 5/8 − 1/8 = 4/8 = 1/2.

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Common mistakes & fixes

These are the exact errors that cost students marks in board exams. Read them once, save yourself the trouble.

WATCH OUT

✗ Adding denominators when adding fractions: 2/5 + 1/5 = 3/10 (WRONG!)

✓ The denominator tells you the type of part (fifths). You are adding 2 fifths + 1 fifth = 3 fifths = 3/5. The denominator stays the same because the type of part does not change.

WATCH OUT

✗ Thinking 1/3 is larger than 1/2 because 3 > 2

✓ The larger the denominator, the SMALLER each part. 1/2 = half, 1/3 = a third. Half is bigger than a third. Among fractions with the same numerator, the one with the SMALLER denominator is LARGER.

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