How to explain fractions, percentages and ratio in practice assessment 1 to your student
27 October 2026
Fractions, percentages and ratio questions can seem tricky at first, but breaking them down into small steps helps children see the logic. Here is a clear example, just like the ones your child will meet in 11+ practice papers.
Example question
A cake is cut into 8 equal slices. Sarah eats 3 slices. What fraction of the cake did Sarah eat? What percentage of the cake did she eat? If the remaining cake is shared between Tom and Anna in the ratio 2:1, how many slices does each get?
Step 1: Find the fraction Sarah ate
Sarah ate 3 slices out of 8.
Fraction eaten = 3/8.
Step 2: Convert the fraction to a percentage
To change 3/8 to a percentage, divide 3 by 8 and then multiply by 100.
3 ÷ 8 = 0.375
0.375 × 100 = 37.5%
Sarah ate 37.5% of the cake.
Step 3: Find how many slices are left
Total slices = 8
Slices eaten = 3
Slices left = 8 - 3 = 5
Step 4: Share the remaining slices in the ratio 2:1
Add the parts of the ratio: 2 + 1 = 3 parts.
Each part = 5 ÷ 3 = 1⅔ slices.
Step 5: Work out slices for Tom and Anna
Tom gets 2 parts: 2 × 1⅔ = 3⅓ slices
Anna gets 1 part: 1 × 1⅔ = 1⅔ slices
Answer:
Sarah ate 3/8 of the cake, which is 37.5%. Tom gets 3⅓ slices, and Anna gets 1⅔ slices of the remaining cake.
Key insight: After working through this example, your child will recognise how fractions, percentages and ratio are all connected. They will be ready to try similar questions using the same approach.
