Singapore Math introducing fractions guide for families and teachers outside Singapore. What Primary 2 and Primary 3 students learn first about fractions, how Singapore teaches equal parts, and how to practise at home.
A fraction names equal parts of a whole.
Everything else children later do with fractions rests on the word “equal”.
In Singapore Mathematics, fractions begin in Primary 2 in the current primary syllabus. Students learn a fraction as part of a whole, compare unit fractions and like fractions, and add or subtract like fractions within one whole.
In Primary 3 they move on to equivalent fractions, and fraction work then grows every year up to Primary 6.
This guide is useful for families and teachers who want to:
- understand what Singapore expects at Primary 2 and Primary 3;
- teach a first fraction lesson in a clear order;
- prepare a child who is moving into a Singapore school; or
- support a student using Singapore Math materials in another country.
Quick facts
Level: Primary 2, continuing in Primary 3
Strand: Number and Algebra
Official source: MOE Primary Mathematics Syllabus, the 2021 syllabus first examined at PSLE in 2026
Comes after: Whole Numbers and Place Value and Multiplication and Division
Leads to: Equivalent Fractions and Adding and Subtracting Fractions
What Fractions Mean in Singapore Mathematics
When a whole is cut into equal parts, a fraction says how many of those parts we are talking about.
In 3/5, the denominator 5 says the whole has 5 equal parts. The numerator 3 says we are taking 3 of them.
A unit fraction has a numerator of 1, such as 1/2, 1/4 or 1/9. It names exactly one equal part.
Like fractions have the same denominator, such as 2/7, 3/7 and 6/7. They are counted in the same size of part.
This leads to two early comparisons. With like fractions, more parts means more: 5/8 is greater than 3/8. With unit fractions, more parts in the whole means smaller parts: 1/3 is greater than 1/5.
Where Introducing Fractions Sits in the Singapore Syllabus
In the current primary syllabus, fractions start in Primary 2.
At Primary 2, students learn:
- a fraction as part of a whole;
- fraction notation and representations;
- comparing and ordering fractions with denominators not exceeding 12, limited to unit fractions and like fractions; and
- adding and subtracting like fractions within one whole, with denominators not exceeding 12.
At Primary 3, students learn:
- equivalent fractions and the simplest form;
- comparing and ordering unlike fractions, with denominators not exceeding 12;
- finding an equivalent fraction given the denominator or the numerator; and
- adding and subtracting two related fractions within one whole, with denominators not exceeding 12.
The Primary 2 list includes notation and representations. Paper strips, shaded shapes and bar models are all common ways to show a fraction. Fraction of a set comes later, in Primary 4.
| Level | What students do with fractions |
|---|---|
| Primary 2 | Part of a whole; compare unit and like fractions; add and subtract like fractions within one whole |
| Primary 3 | Equivalent fractions; simplest form; compare unlike fractions; add and subtract two related fractions |
| Primary 4 | Mixed numbers, improper fractions, fraction of a set, and adding and subtracting with up to two different denominators |
How Singapore Teaches a First Fraction Lesson
1. Fold and cut
Children fold paper strips or circles into equal parts. The folds make “equal” visible and checkable.
2. Name the parts
One of 4 equal parts is one quarter, written 1/4. Children say the name and write the symbol together.
3. Shade and write
Shade 3 of 4 equal parts and write 3/4. Ask what fraction is not shaded: 1/4.
4. Test for equal parts
Show a shape cut into 4 unequal pieces. Children explain why one piece is not 1/4.
5. Compare with a picture
Draw two strips of the same length, one in thirds and one in fifths. One third is clearly longer than one fifth.
6. Add like fractions as counting
2 sevenths and 3 sevenths make 5 sevenths: 2/7 + 3/7 = 5/7. The size of the part does not change, so the denominator stays the same.
Equal wholes matter as much as equal parts. Comparing halves of a small strip with thirds of a long strip proves nothing.
Worked Examples
Ordering unit fractions
Question: Arrange 1/4, 1/9 and 1/6 in order, beginning with the smallest.
Step 1. All three are unit fractions, so each is one part of the same whole.
Step 2. The more equal parts the whole is cut into, the smaller each part.
Step 3. 9 parts are smallest, then 6 parts, then 4 parts.
Step 4. In order: 1/9, 1/6, 1/4.
Check: Draw three strips of the same length cut into 9, 6 and 4 equal parts. One part of the strip cut into 9 is the shortest.
Adding and subtracting like fractions
Question: Find 2/7 + 3/7. Then find 1 − 3/8.
Step 1. Sevenths plus sevenths: 2 sevenths + 3 sevenths = 5 sevenths, so 2/7 + 3/7 = 5/7.
Step 2. For 1 − 3/8, write 1 whole as 8/8.
Step 3. 8/8 − 3/8 = 5/8.
Check: 5/8 + 3/8 = 8/8 = 1 whole.
Common Mistakes
- Accepting unequal parts. A child shades 1 of 3 unequal pieces and calls it 1/3. Fix: ask “are the parts equal?” before naming any fraction.
- Adding the denominators. 2/7 + 3/7 is written as 5/14. Fix: say it in words, “2 sevenths plus 3 sevenths”, and the denominator stays as sevenths.
- Thinking a bigger denominator means a bigger fraction. A child says 1/8 is more than 1/4 because 8 is more than 4. Fix: draw both on strips of the same length.
- Counting unshaded parts as the denominator. With 3 of 5 parts shaded, the child writes 3/2. Fix: the denominator counts all the equal parts in the whole.
- Comparing parts of different wholes. Half of a small pizza is not the same amount as half of a large one. Fix: always use the same whole when comparing.
Teaching Fractions Outside Singapore
Fraction language is shared by most English-language curricula, with a few points to note.
- Terms. Singapore uses “like fractions” for fractions with the same denominator and “unlike fractions” for different denominators. Some materials say “same denominator” or “common denominator” instead.
- Names. “Quarter” and “fourth” both mean 1/4. The Singapore syllabus uses “quarter”, as in the “quarter circles” of Primary 1 shapes.
- Limits. The syllabus keeps denominators up to 12 at Primary 2 and 3. Larger denominators are not needed for these lessons.
- Timing. In Singapore’s current syllabus, fractions start in Primary 2. Decide by readiness rather than age, and see the Singapore Math Grade Levels guide for why grade conversions are unreliable.
- Prerequisites. Children should be secure with sharing equally and with basic division facts before fraction notation.
How to Practise Fractions at Home
Hands-on practice comes first. Written work follows.
- Fold paper strips into halves, quarters and eighths, and label each part.
- Cut a sandwich or a pancake into equal parts and name the fraction eaten.
- Shade a fraction on a drawn shape, then name the fraction left unshaded.
- Compare two unit fractions using strips of the same length.
- Add two like fractions aloud in words before writing them in symbols.
- Once a week, show a shape with unequal parts and ask why it is not a fair split.
Short daily practice works better than one long session.
Try These
- A rectangle is cut into 6 equal parts and 5 parts are shaded. What fraction is shaded? What fraction is not shaded?
- Arrange 1/3, 1/12 and 1/7 in order, beginning with the greatest.
- Find 4/11 + 5/11.
- What must be added to 3/10 to make 1 whole?
Answers
- 5/6 is shaded and 1/6 is not shaded. The whole has 6 equal parts.
- 1/3, 1/7, 1/12. Fewer parts in the whole means larger parts.
- 9/11. Count the elevenths: 4 + 5 = 9.
- 7/10. One whole is 10/10, and 10/10 − 3/10 = 7/10.
What Comes Next
Fractions grow steadily through primary school.
- In Primary 3, Equivalent Fractions shows that 1/2, 2/4 and 4/8 name the same amount.
- Adding and Subtracting Fractions builds from like fractions to different denominators.
- In Primary 4, Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions goes beyond one whole.
A child who checks for equal parts every time is ready for each of these steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Singapore students learn fractions?
In the current primary syllabus, fractions start in Primary 2. They are developed every year up to Primary 6.
What is a unit fraction?
A fraction with a numerator of 1, such as 1/5. It names one equal part of the whole.
What are like fractions?
Fractions with the same denominator, such as 2/9 and 5/9. They are easy to compare and to add.
Do Primary 2 students compare fractions like 2/3 and 3/4?
No. At Primary 2, comparing is limited to unit fractions and like fractions. Unlike fractions are compared in Primary 3.
When does fraction of a set appear?
In Primary 4. Primary 2 and 3 work with fractions of a whole.
Should my child use real objects or pictures?
Both help. Folding and cutting show “equal” clearly. Drawn strips make comparisons easy to see.
Helpful Reading
- Singapore Mathematics | International Edition: Equivalent Fractions
- Singapore Mathematics | International Edition: Adding and Subtracting Fractions
- Singapore Mathematics | International Edition: Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions
- Primary Mathematics: Fractions of a Quantity, Equivalence and Operations
- Why Do Fractions Keep Causing Problems in Later Mathematics?
- Singapore Math Bar Model | A Guide to Model Drawing
- MOE Primary Mathematics Syllabus
Fractions in Singapore Mathematics
Equal parts first.
The denominator names the part.
The numerator counts the parts.
Compare with the same whole.
Taught this way, fractions do not start as rules.
They start as a careful way of sharing.
That care carries a child through every fraction topic that follows.
Ask Bukit Timah Tutor
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If your child is learning Singapore Mathematics at home, in an international school or in a Singapore school, and you are unsure where to begin with this topic, send us a short message with the student’s level and one example of the work.
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Singapore Mathematics | International Edition is a Bukit Timah Tutor guide series for families and teachers outside Singapore. It is not a textbook and is not affiliated with MOE, SEAB or any publisher. Syllabus details were checked against MOE and SEAB documents in October 2026. Always confirm current requirements with your school.
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