Constructing Thirds

The construction team is building a school! The workers have started the foundation and need some help to build the rest. Let’s look at the blueprint!

The blueprint shows that the foundation is partitioned into thirds. Thirds are three equal parts. We can make thirds in different ways, depending on the shape of an object. Rectangles and squares can use lines that go from top to bottom or side to side. The foundation has lines that go from top to bottom.

The team wants to add shapes to the blueprint for each third of the picture. That means we need to break each shape into thirds! We use the number ⅓ to show thirds. It is a quick way to show that the pieces we have are thirds. We can write ⅓ like this or like this. It means the same thing!

The team wants to put a square on each part of the picture. Let’s partition it into thirds to help them!

Did we make thirds? This is close but not quite right. Remember, we need to have three equal parts. These parts are unequal. Let’s try again!

Yes! We have three equal parts. Now each part of the foundation has a third of the square. Now we need to partition this circle into thirds.

Does this circle show thirds? Uh-oh! We made two equal parts instead of three. Let’s try again!

What about now? Yes, we have thirds. This circle has three equal parts. It is ready for the team to add to the blueprint. Here is a triangle. Can we partition it into thirds?

Hmm, this isn’t right. The pieces are unequal.

That’s better! The triangle has three equal parts. It is ready for the team! We have one more shape. Can we partition this hexagon into thirds for the team?

That’s too many parts! This hexagon has 4 equal parts.

Perfect! Now this hexagon has three equal parts. The team can add this to the blueprint. You did a great job making thirds for the blueprint! Now the construction team can keep building the school.