Understand the idea.
Give each group a turn
To share fairly, give one object to each person or place in turn. Keep going round in the same order. Every complete round adds one to every share, helping all the shares grow together without anyone being missed.
Use all the objects when you can
When all the objects have been shared, count each share. The shares must match, and together they must make the starting collection. Ten stickers can be shared as five and five: both children get the same amount and all ten are used.
See the method in action.
Three equal shares
Share twelve counters equally between three trays.
Worked solution
- 1
Give one counter to each of the three trays.
One complete round uses three counters and keeps the shares equal.
- 2
Keep sharing until twelve counters are placed.
Four complete rounds use all twelve counters.
- 3
Count and check each share.
Each tray received one counter in each of the four rounds, so each has four.
4 counters on each tray.
Two children
Two children share ten stickers equally. How many does each get?
Worked solution
- 1
Take turns giving a sticker to each child.
Each complete round uses two stickers and gives both children the same amount.
- 2
Complete five rounds.
All ten stickers have now been shared.
- 3
Check the two final shares.
Five stickers each gives equal shares and uses the whole collection.
5 stickers each.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Share eight counters equally between two plates. How many on each?
Show answer & reasoning
4 counters.
Four rounds give one counter to each plate each time. The plates have four each, and uses all eight counters.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- Share six blocks equally between two children.
- Share nine counters equally between three cups.
- Share twelve cards equally between four players.
- Two children share fourteen stickers equally. How many each?
- A share of eight beads has five in one bowl and three in another. Fix the shares.
- Share fifteen counters equally between three trays. Draw or describe the shares.
Read the worked solutions
- Share six blocks equally between two children.
Give one at a time; each gets three.
3 blocks each. - Share nine counters equally between three cups.
Three rounds put three in every cup.
3 counters each. - Share twelve cards equally between four players.
Three rounds of four cards use twelve.
3 cards each. - Two children share fourteen stickers equally. How many each?
Seven and seven make fourteen.
7 stickers each. - A share of eight beads has five in one bowl and three in another. Fix the shares.
The bowls then contain four each.
Move one bead from the bowl of five to the bowl of three. - Share fifteen counters equally between three trays. Draw or describe the shares.
Five rounds give five to each tray and use all fifteen counters.
5 counters per tray.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Practical Year 1 grouping and equal sharing with whole objects.
Official curriculum source ↗