Fractions tug of war at the top of this page mixes four kinds of question: fractions of amounts, adding fractions, simplifying and picking the biggest fraction. Choose a level from this table, then press Play.
Level | Fractions of amounts | Adding | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
Starter | Halves only: 1/2 of 8 | Same denominator | First fractions |
Easy | Halves and quarters | Same denominator | Unit fractions |
Medium | Non-unit: 2/3 of 12 | Same denominator, up to eighths | Upper primary |
Hard | Up to eighths | Different denominators | Confident with common denominators |
Expert | Thirds, fifths, eighths, tenths | Different denominators | Secondary |
Master | Sixths to twelfths | Different denominators | Adults and strong students |
Fractions need thinking time, so use a 2 or 3-minute match, and treat the game as practice on a topic already taught.
How to answer each question type quickly
Type | Method | Example |
|---|---|---|
Fraction of an amount | Divide by the bottom, multiply by the top | 3/4 of 16: 16 ÷ 4 = 4, then 12 |
Adding | Match the bottoms, then add the tops | 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6 |
Simplifying | Divide top and bottom by a common factor | 12/18 is 2/3, dividing by 6 |
Biggest fraction | Compare with one half first | 5/8 beats 3/7, since only 5/8 is over a half |
The trap built into the buttons
On adding questions, one wrong button is usually what you get by adding the tops and the bottoms, so 1/2 + 1/3 tempts you with 2/5. Picking it is the most useful mistake a player can make, because it shows up on the review list and starts the right conversation. Other common slips are stopping at the unit fraction (4 for 3/4 of 16), and thinking a larger denominator means a larger fraction. Talk these through with drawings or fraction strips.
Writing your own set
The custom questions page needs an answer that is a number, so it suits fractions of amounts and missing-number questions. Try 1/2 of 14 = 7, 1/3 of 18 = 6, 1/4 of 28 = 7, 2/3 of 12 = 8, 3/4 of 16 = 12 and 2/5 of 20 = 8. For equivalence, ask "3/4 is how many eighths" = 6.
Other games called tug team fractions
Searches for tug team fractions often refer to the Tug Team series, a separate set of games published by Arcademics.
What does each level ask when comparing and simplifying?
| Level | Biggest fraction uses denominators up to | Simplifying starts from fractions built on |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 4 | Denominators up to 4 |
| Easy | 6 | Up to 5 |
| Medium | 8 | Up to 6 |
| Hard | 10 | Up to 8 |
| Expert | 12 | Up to 9 |
| Master | 12 | Up to 12 |
A question of each type, worked through
2/5 of 35: 35 ÷ 5 = 7, then 7 × 2 = 14. 1/4 + 1/3: the common denominator is 12, so 3/12 + 4/12 = 7/12. Simplify 18/24: both divide by 6, giving 3/4. Which is biggest, 3/5, 4/7, 2/3 or 5/8? All are over a half, so compare distances from 1: 2/5, 3/7, 1/3 and 3/8. The smallest gap is 1/3, so 2/3 is biggest.
How should you sequence fraction practice?
Start with fractions of amounts, because they link straight to division facts. Add comparing next, using drawings or fraction strips until players can picture sizes. Simplifying follows once times tables are secure. Leave adding with different denominators until last, and teach it away from the game before you play it at Hard.
Frequently asked questions
What fraction questions does the game ask?
The Fractions topic asks players to find fractions of amounts, add fractions, simplify fractions and pick the biggest fraction.
Can I use my own fraction questions?
Yes, if each answer is a number. The custom questions page does not accept answers written as fractions.
Is Tug Team Fractions the same game?
No. Tug Team is a separate series published by Arcademics.