Why can’t you add fractions with different denominators straight away?

The denominator tells you the size of each piece, and a half-piece is bigger than a third-piece — adding the numerators would be like adding 2 apples and 3 melons and calling it 5 of something. First rewrite both fractions with a common denominator (sixths, say) so all the pieces are the same size; then the numerators can be added or subtracted. The bar pictures show exactly this step.

How do I know if a fraction is in simplest form?

It’s in simplest form when the numerator and denominator have no common factor other than 1. Euclid’s algorithm finds the greatest common factor quickly: divide the larger number by the smaller, then the divisor by the remainder, until the remainder is 0 — the last divisor is the GCF. For 8/12: 12 = 8 × 1 + 4, 8 = 4 × 2 + 0, so the GCF is 4 and 8/12 = 2/3.

How do I convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions?

Improper to mixed: divide. 11/4 is 11 ÷ 4 = 2 remainder 3, so 2 3/4. Mixed to improper: multiply the whole number by the denominator and add the numerator, keeping the denominator — 2 3/4 = (2 × 4 + 3)/4 = 11/4. The pie model draws two whole pies plus three quarters.

Can I make a worksheet with only one kind of question?

Yes — pick one or several question types; several types take turns. The largest denominator controls difficulty, and repeated questions are avoided within a sheet. Each sheet comes from its seed, so you can reprint the same one later, or press “New sheet” for fresh questions.

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🍕Fraction Visualizer for Kids - Pies, Bars & Number Lines

A visual way into fractions for primary and middle school. Set a fraction with big buttons or by typing, and see it as a pie (pizza), a fraction bar and a point on a number line; tap a piece to shade up to it. Improper fractions draw as several wholes, and you also get how to read it, the decimal, the percentage and the mixed number. Splitting every piece into 2, 3 or more shows equivalent fractions — the shaded amount stays the same while top and bottom are multiplied by the same number. Compare draws two fractions side by side and explains which is bigger with a common denominator and with cross-multiplication. Add & subtract walks through four steps: find the least common denominator, cut both fractions into same-sized pieces, add or subtract the numerators, then simplify and write as a mixed number. Mixed numbers converts both ways (11/4 = 2 3/4) with pictures; fraction of a set splits, say, 12 apples into 3 groups and circles 2 of them; and simplify shows Euclid’s algorithm for the greatest common factor with an animation merging small pieces into bigger ones. The worksheet generator mixes naming shaded fractions, comparing, adding, subtracting, simplifying, mixed-number conversions and fraction-of-a-number questions on A4 pages with an answer key, to print or download as a PDF.

Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browserLast updated: 2026-10-26

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How to use Fraction Visualizer

1Set a fraction with the big buttons and switch between pie, bar and number line
2Open Compare, Add & subtract, Mixed numbers or Simplify for step-by-step pictures
3In the worksheet tab choose question types, the largest denominator and the count, then print or download

FAQ

Why can’t you add fractions with different denominators straight away?: The denominator tells you the size of each piece, and a half-piece is bigger than a third-piece — adding the numerators would be like adding 2 apples and 3 melons and calling it 5 of something. First rewrite both fractions with a common denominator (sixths, say) so all the pieces are the same size; then the numerators can be added or subtracted. The bar pictures show exactly this step.
How do I know if a fraction is in simplest form?: It’s in simplest form when the numerator and denominator have no common factor other than 1. Euclid’s algorithm finds the greatest common factor quickly: divide the larger number by the smaller, then the divisor by the remainder, until the remainder is 0 — the last divisor is the GCF. For 8/12: 12 = 8 × 1 + 4, 8 = 4 × 2 + 0, so the GCF is 4 and 8/12 = 2/3.
How do I convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions?: Improper to mixed: divide. 11/4 is 11 ÷ 4 = 2 remainder 3, so 2 3/4. Mixed to improper: multiply the whole number by the denominator and add the numerator, keeping the denominator — 2 3/4 = (2 × 4 + 3)/4 = 11/4. The pie model draws two whole pies plus three quarters.
Can I make a worksheet with only one kind of question?: Yes — pick one or several question types; several types take turns. The largest denominator controls difficulty, and repeated questions are avoided within a sheet. Each sheet comes from its seed, so you can reprint the same one later, or press “New sheet” for fresh questions.