Identifying Equal Parts: Halves, Thirds, and Fourths

Khan Academy

This video serves as an engaging and practical introduction to basic geometry and fractions, specifically focusing on partitioning shapes. Through a series of multiple-choice problems, the narrator guides viewers in identifying which shapes—rectangles, circles, and squares—are correctly divided into halves, thirds, and fourths (quarters). The core concept emphasized throughout is that for a shape to be divided into fractions, the resulting sections must be equal in size or area. The video explores key geometric themes including visual estimation of area, the definition of specific fractional terms (halves, thirds, fourths), and the critical distinction between merely dividing a shape and dividing it into equal shares. By presenting non-examples (shapes divided into unequal parts or the wrong number of parts), the video directly addresses common student misconceptions, such as thinking any two parts constitute a "half." For educators, this resource is an excellent tool for early elementary math instruction, particularly for 1st and 2nd grade. It provides clear visual models that can be used to introduce the concept of equal shares before moving to numerical fractions. Teachers can use this video to model mathematical thinking, asking students to justify why certain options are incorrect before revealing the answer, thus promoting critical thinking and mathematical vocabulary usage.