Fractions of Quantities Practice: A Parent's Guide
21 October 2026
Understanding fractions of quantities
Fractions of quantities are a common topic in 11+ maths. Children are often asked to find a fraction of a whole number, such as 2/3 of 18 or 3/4 of 32. The standard approach is to divide first, then multiply.
Key insight: Practising the divide-then-multiply method helps children avoid mistakes and builds confidence with fractions.
How to calculate a fraction of a quantity
Start by dividing the total amount by the denominator. This splits the amount into equal groups.
Then, multiply the result by the numerator. This gives the value of the fraction you need.
Worked example
Find 3/5 of 25
Step 1: Divide 25 by 5. 25 ÷ 5 = 5
Step 2: Multiply the answer by 3. 5 × 3 = 15
The correct answer is 15.
Tips for supporting your child
Encourage your child to say each step out loud as they work. Remind them that the denominator tells you how many groups to make, and the numerator tells you how many groups to count.
Regular practice with different numbers will help your child become more fluent and spot errors quickly.
