Half and Quarter
When we cut something into equal parts, we get fractions. The two simplest fractions are half and quarter. If you cut a roti into 2 equal pieces, each piece is one half. If you cut it into 4 equal pieces, each piece is one quarter.
In Class 2, we learn what half and quarter mean, how to write them, and how to find half or quarter of a number.
What is Half and Quarter - Class 2 Maths (Fractions Introduction (Grade 2))?
Half (1/2): When a whole is divided into 2 equal parts, each part is called one half. We write it as 1/2.
Quarter (1/4): When a whole is divided into 4 equal parts, each part is called one quarter. We write it as 1/4.
1/2 = one of two equal parts | 1/4 = one of four equal parts
Types and Properties
Finding half of a number: Divide the number by 2.
- Half of 10 = 10 ÷ 2 = 5
- Half of 8 = 8 ÷ 2 = 4
Finding quarter of a number: Divide the number by 4.
- Quarter of 12 = 12 ÷ 4 = 3
- Quarter of 20 = 20 ÷ 4 = 5
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Half of a Shape
Question: Ria folds a square paper in half. How many equal parts does she get?
Think:
- Folding in half = dividing into 2 equal parts
- Each part is one half (1/2)
Answer: She gets 2 equal parts. Each part is 1/2 of the square.
Example 2: Example 2: Quarter of a Shape
Question: Aman folds a circle into 4 equal parts. What is each part called?
Think:
- 4 equal parts → each part is one quarter
Answer: Each part is one quarter (1/4) of the circle.
Example 3: Example 3: Half of a Number
Question: Find half of 14.
Think:
- Half means divide by 2
- 14 ÷ 2 = 7
Answer: Half of 14 = 7.
Example 4: Example 4: Quarter of a Number
Question: Find one quarter of 16.
Think:
- Quarter means divide by 4
- 16 ÷ 4 = 4
Answer: One quarter of 16 = 4.
Example 5: Example 5: Sharing a Pizza
Question: Priya and Dev share a pizza equally. What fraction does each person get?
Think:
- 2 people sharing equally
- Each gets 1 out of 2 equal parts
Answer: Each person gets one half (1/2) of the pizza.
Example 6: Example 6: Cutting a Ribbon
Question: Neha has a ribbon that is 20 cm long. She cuts it in half. How long is each piece?
Think:
- Half of 20 = 20 ÷ 2 = 10
Answer: Each piece is 10 cm long.
Example 7: Example 7: Quarter of Sweets
Question: Meera has 24 sweets. She gives one quarter to her friend. How many sweets does she give?
Think:
- One quarter of 24 = 24 ÷ 4 = 6
Answer: Meera gives 6 sweets to her friend.
Example 8: Example 8: Comparing Half and Quarter
Question: Which is bigger — half of a chapati or quarter of the same chapati?
Think:
- Half = cutting into 2 parts → each part is bigger
- Quarter = cutting into 4 parts → each part is smaller
- 1/2 is bigger than 1/4
Answer: Half (1/2) is bigger than quarter (1/4).
Key Points to Remember
- Half (1/2) = 1 of 2 equal parts. Divide by 2 to find half of a number.
- Quarter (1/4) = 1 of 4 equal parts. Divide by 4 to find quarter of a number.
- The parts must be equal for them to be true halves or quarters.
- Half is bigger than quarter of the same thing.
- Two halves make a whole. Four quarters make a whole.
- Two quarters = one half (1/4 + 1/4 = 1/2).
Practice Problems
- Find half of 18.
- Find one quarter of 8.
- Kavi has 10 marbles. He gives half to Arjun. How many does Arjun get?
- A cake is cut into 4 equal pieces. What fraction is each piece?
- Which is more — half of 12 or quarter of 12?
- Aditi has 20 stickers. She uses one quarter for a project. How many stickers does she use?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is one half?
One half means 1 out of 2 equal parts. When something is divided into 2 equal pieces, each piece is one half, written as 1/2.
Q2. What is one quarter?
One quarter means 1 out of 4 equal parts. When something is divided into 4 equal pieces, each piece is one quarter, written as 1/4.
Q3. How do I find half of a number?
Divide the number by 2. For example, half of 16 is 16 divided by 2, which is 8.
Q4. How do I find one quarter of a number?
Divide the number by 4. For example, one quarter of 20 is 20 divided by 4, which is 5.
Q5. Which is bigger — half or quarter?
Half is bigger than quarter. 1/2 of something is larger than 1/4 of the same thing because you are dividing into fewer parts.
Q6. How many quarters make one half?
Two quarters make one half. 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2.
Q7. Do the parts need to be equal?
Yes. For a fraction to be correct, all parts must be equal in size. If the parts are not equal, they are not true halves or quarters.
