PSLE Math Fractions & Ratios: Clear Steps to Stop Losing Marks

Quick answer

Feeling stressed over PSLE fractions and ratios? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many students lose marks here because the concept feels like a foreign language. But once you see it broken down into simpler steps, everything clicks into place.

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What you need to know

Fractions and ratios are all about understanding parts and wholes. A fraction represents a part of a whole. Imagine a pizza cut into slices. If you eat 2 out of 8 slices, you've eaten 2/8 of the pizza. A ratio, on the other hand, is a comparison between two numbers. Like if you have 3 apples and 2 oranges, the ratio of apples to oranges is 3:2.

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Understanding with a Story

Imagine you're at a birthday party with a cake divided into 8 slices. You and your friend each take 2 slices. So you both have 2/8 of the cake each. That's fractions. Now, think about the number of candies in your goody bag. If there are 6 chocolates and 4 lollipops, the ratio of chocolates to lollipops is 6:4.

Common mistakes students make

1. Mixing up fractions and ratios. It's common to confuse these because they both deal with parts of a whole. Remember, fractions are parts of one thing; ratios compare two different things.

2. Not simplifying fractions. Many students forget this step and lose marks. Always check if your fraction can be reduced.

3. Ignoring units in ratios. Ratios should have the same units. If comparing different things, convert them to the same units first.

Exam tip

When dealing with fractions and ratios, always write down what each number represents. For fractions, note the total number of parts. For ratios, write what each part of the ratio stands for. This helps avoid confusion during exams.

Worked Examples

Question 1

A pizza is sliced into 12 equal parts. You eat 3 slices. What fraction of the pizza have you eaten?

Solution

Step 1: Identify the total number of slices: 12.

Why: This tells us the total parts of the whole pizza.

Step 2: Identify the number of slices you ate: 3.

Why: This is the part of the pizza you've eaten.

Step 3: Write the fraction: $\frac{3}{12}$.

Why: The top number (numerator) is the part you ate, and the bottom number (denominator) is the total.

Step 4: Simplify the fraction: $\frac{1}{4}$.

Why: Simplifying makes it easier to understand and is usually required in exams.

Question 2

There are 8 cats and 12 dogs in a pet shop. What is the ratio of cats to dogs?

Solution

Step 1: Write the number of cats: 8.

Why: We need the count of the first item in the ratio.

Step 2: Write the number of dogs: 12.

Why: We need the count of the second item in the ratio.

Step 3: Write the ratio: 8:12.

Why: This shows the comparison between cats and dogs.

Step 4: Simplify the ratio: 2:3.

Why: Simplifying ratios makes them easier to compare.

Quick summary

• Fractions represent parts of a whole; ratios compare two things.
• Always simplify fractions and ratios.
• Use same units for ratios.
• Write down what each number represents in exams.
• Break down problems into small, clear steps.

FAQ

What is a fraction?
A fraction shows a part of a whole. It's written as one number over another, like $\frac{1}{2}$ for half.

What is a ratio?
A ratio compares two numbers, like 3:2. It's about how much there is of one thing compared to another.

How do I simplify a fraction?
Divide the top and bottom numbers by their greatest common divisor until you can't anymore.

Why do we simplify ratios?
Simplifying makes them easier to understand and compare. It's like reducing fractions.

Can fractions and ratios be the same?
They both deal with parts, but they're used differently. Fractions are part of one thing; ratios compare two things.

Practise with free question sets

Work through exam-style questions with answers and step-by-step solutions:

• 35+ PSLE Math Heuristics Questions for 2026/2027 (Singapore MOE Syllabus) Every Student Should Know
• [40+ P 5 Math Fractions Questions for 2026/2027 (Singapore MOE Syllabus)](/questions/p 5-fractions-questions)
• [35+ PSLE Ratio Questions for 2026/2027 (Singapore MOE Syllabus) with Step-by-Step Solutions](/questions/p 6-ratio-questions)
• Topic study hub

[Practise unlimited questions on Tutorly.sg/app](https://www.tutorly.sg/app)

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