Quarter of Shapes
A quarter means dividing something into 4 equal parts and taking one part. The fraction for a quarter is written as 1/4 (one out of four equal parts).
In Class 2, you learn to divide shapes into four equal parts and understand what one-fourth means.
What is Quarter of Shapes - Class 2 Maths (Fractions Introduction)?
When we divide a shape into 4 equal parts, each part is called a quarter or one-fourth.
1/4
The top number (1) means we take one part. The bottom number (4) means the whole is divided into four equal parts.
Key fact: A quarter is smaller than a half. If you cut a half into two equal pieces, each piece is a quarter.
Types and Properties
Ways to show a quarter:
- Square: Draw two lines (one across, one down) to make 4 equal parts. Each part = 1/4.
- Circle: Draw a + sign through the centre to make 4 equal parts.
- Rectangle: Fold or draw lines to make 4 equal parts.
Remember: All 4 parts must be the same size.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Quarter of a Circle
Question: A circle is divided into 4 equal parts. What is each part called?
Think:
- 4 equal parts are made
- Each part = 1 out of 4 = 1/4
Answer: Each part is called a quarter (1/4).
Example 2: Quarter of a Number
Question: What is one-fourth of 12?
Think:
- One-fourth means dividing into 4 equal parts
- 12 ÷ 4 = 3
Answer: One-fourth of 12 is 3.
Example 3: Word Problem — Pizza
Question: A pizza is cut into 4 equal slices. Ria eats one slice. What fraction did she eat?
Think:
- The pizza has 4 equal slices
- Ria eats 1 out of 4 slices
Answer: Ria ate 1/4 (one-quarter) of the pizza.
Example 4: Is This a Quarter?
Question: A square is divided into 4 parts, but one part is bigger than the others. Are these quarters?
Think:
- Quarters means 4 EQUAL parts
- If one part is bigger, the parts are not equal
Answer: No, these are not quarters because the parts are not equal.
Example 5: Word Problem — Sharing Chocolates
Question: Meera, Dev, Kavi, and Aditi share 20 chocolates equally. How many does each child get?
Think:
- 4 children share 20 chocolates
- 20 ÷ 4 = 5
Answer: Each child gets 5 chocolates (one-fourth of 20).
Example 6: How Many Quarters Make a Whole?
Question: How many quarters make 1 whole?
Think:
- 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 4/4 = 1
Answer: 4 quarters make one whole.
Example 7: Half and Quarter Relationship
Question: A roti is cut into half. Then each half is cut into half again. How many pieces are there?
Think:
- First cut: 2 halves
- Each half is cut again: 2 + 2 = 4 pieces
- Each piece = 1/4
Answer: There are 4 pieces, and each piece is a quarter.
Key Points to Remember
- A quarter = 1 out of 4 equal parts = 1/4.
- To find one-fourth of a number, divide by 4.
- 4 quarters make one whole.
- 2 quarters = 1 half.
- All 4 parts must be the same size to be called quarters.
Practice Problems
- What is one-fourth of 8?
- A square is divided into 4 equal parts. Colour one part. What fraction is coloured?
- Priya has 16 beads. She gives one-fourth to her friend. How many does she give?
- How many quarters are in 2 wholes?
- What is one-fourth of 20?
- Aman cuts a rectangular paper into 4 equal parts. He uses 3 parts. What fraction is left?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a quarter?
A quarter means one out of four equal parts. It is written as the fraction 1/4.
Q2. How do I find one-fourth of a number?
Divide the number by 4. For example, one-fourth of 16 = 16 ÷ 4 = 4.
Q3. Is a quarter bigger or smaller than a half?
A quarter (1/4) is smaller than a half (1/2). When you divide the same thing into more parts, each part is smaller.
Q4. How many quarters make a half?
2 quarters make a half. 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2.
Q5. How many quarters make a whole?
4 quarters make a whole. 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 4/4 = 1.
Q6. Can I divide a circle into quarters?
Yes. Draw two straight lines through the centre of the circle (like a + sign). This gives 4 equal parts, and each part is a quarter.
Q7. What is three-quarters?
Three-quarters means 3 out of 4 equal parts. It is written as 3/4. If a pizza has 4 slices and you eat 3, you ate 3/4 of the pizza.
