Finding a half of shapes

Part ofMathsFractionsYear 1

Finding a half

Betty smiling and pointing to a circle in 2 halves.

Finding a half means finding one of two equal parts.

If you put two halves together you get one whole.

You can find a half of a shape, measure or a quantity.

Shapes are a great way to explore and learn more about a half.

Betty smiling and pointing to a circle in 2 halves.
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Activity: Finding a half

Complete this interactive activity to better understand halving shapes. Then put your knowledge to the test.

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Cutting shapes into half

You can cut a shape into two parts.

If you want to cut a shape into half, you must look very carefully, so when you cut the shape, you have two equal parts.

Betty looking thoughtfully at a square marked with dotted lines along the half-way mark of the square. A pair of scissors are set to cut the square into 2 peices.

The two parts must be the same size and shape.

If you put the two halves back together you will get one whole.

Betty smiling standing next to a square cut in half and forming 2 rectangles that are exactly the same size.
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Example 1

A triangle shape divided into 2 and shaded in orange and green . the green shape is different size to the orange shape. There is a spider hanging from a web string funder the shape.

True or false? The two parts are unequal.

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Example 2

2 triangle shapes. The left triangle is labelled 'before' and the right triangle has been cut into 2 equal parts and is labelled 'after'.

Has this shape been cut into two equal parts?

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Example 3

Charlie looking thoughtfully at a shape with unequal sides.

Can this shape be cut into two equal parts?

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Train with the Karate Cats to become an expert in addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, place value and more!

Karate Cats Maths game
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