Mathematics

Intermediate

50 mins

Teacher/Student led

Learning Goals

Learning Outcomes

Lesson Files

+65 XP

What you need:
IWB/Projector/Large Screen

Decimals and Fractions: the Same Thing Two Ways

Learn how to turn fractions into their decimal twins by dividing the top number by the bottom number. Explore why some fractions, like 1/3, give decimals that never stop.

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1 Getting Started
2 Watch and Notice
3 Try It Together
4 Build Your Equivalence Table in Your Copy
5 Class Challenge
Pupil practice

1 - Getting Started ~4 mins

Key point

Illustration for Getting Started Here are two ways of writing the same amount: 1/2 and 0.5. Where have you seen these written as the same thing before? Think about a battery at half charge, or half a pizza, or a half-price sale.

Hands up: is 1/2 bigger than 0.5, smaller than 0.5, or exactly the same?

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

2 - Watch and Notice ~9 mins

Each battery shows the same amount three ways at once: a fraction, a decimal and a percentage. Watch how dividing the top of the fraction by the bottom gives the decimal every time.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+10 XP

3 - Try It Together ~11 mins

Key point

Today we work through these fraction twins together on the battery: 1/8, then 3/8, then 1/5, and finally 1/3. For each one we divide the top by the bottom to work out the decimal, then set the battery to check. The last one, 1/3, has a surprise waiting.

Find each decimal twin

+15 XP

4 - Build Your Equivalence Table in Your Copy ~3 mins

COPYBOOK MOMENT

In your maths copy, write each fraction-decimal pair as a row, then add the per cent in a third column. Use the pairs we have met today:

Mark with a star any row whose decimal is recurring (one that keeps going forever).

+10 XP

5 - Class Challenge ~8 mins

Key point

Today we match these twins on the board: given one form, set the battery to find the matching decimal. We work through 1/2, then 1/4, then 3/4, then 1/10, then 2/5, and finally the stretch 1/8.

The halves and quarters are the friendly ones. Tenths are new. The last one, 1/8, is the stretch item and takes three decimal places, so divide carefully and set the battery to match.

Match the decimal twin

+15 XP

Pupil practice

Module 3 · Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Number

Lesson 41 · Decimals and Fractions: the Same Thing Two Ways

Download Activity Book page (PDF)

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This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Decimals and Fractions: the Same Thing Two Ways

Teacher Class Feed

1 - Getting Started ~4 mins

2 - Watch and Notice ~9 mins

3 - Try It Together ~11 mins

Find each decimal twin

4 - Build Your Equivalence Table in Your Copy ~3 mins

5 - Class Challenge ~8 mins

Match the decimal twin

Unlock the full learning experience

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