Concept 5 of 5
Fractional-Spend Shopping
Today's big idea
Take each fraction of its own amount separately, then combine the results.
Each fraction belongs to a different amount, so they cannot be added first.
How it works
👀 What's going on?
Half your pocket money on one thing and a quarter of something else on another. Spending described in fractions is ordinary enough in life, and it asks two questions at once on paper.
💡 Here's the trick
Look at the amounts above. To take a fraction of an amount, divide by the bottom number to get one part. Then take as many parts as the top number says. What you spend and what is left are two different answers.
🪄 How to do it
- 1.Take the first amount in the list above and divide it by the bottom number.
- 2.Multiply that one part by the top number to get the amount spent.
- 3.Repeat for each amount, then combine as the question asks.
✍️ Try it
A third of 90 rupees is spent, so how much is spent and how much is left? Then: half of 200 rupees on a bag and a quarter of 60 on a pen, so how much in all?
Ninety divided by three is 30 spent, which leaves 60. In the second, half of 200 is 100 and a quarter of 60 is 15, so the total spent is 115 rupees.
⚠️ Watch out
You might be thinking the amount you worked out is the answer. Check which one is wanted. Asked how much is left after spending a third, the answer is the other two thirds. Handing back the third you worked out is a wrong answer reached correctly.
🌟 Why this matters
Saving half your money, or spending a quarter of it, is how pocket money actually gets talked about. Turning that into a number is a skill you will use every week.
Exam tip: Write spent and left as two separate figures, then pick the one the question names.
Watch me solve one
Quanta solves it
“Watch how I think through one of these — then you try.”
THE PROBLEM
“Riya spends half of ₹120 on a book and a quarter of ₹80 on a pen. How much does she spend in all?”
- 1
Each fraction of money
Half of 120 = ₹60. Quarter of 80 = ₹20. 🛍️
- 2
Add the pieces
60 + 20 = 80
- 3
Answer ✓
Spent = ₹80
Now you try one — same steps, different story 👇
See it in action
⚡ Time to play!
Work out each fraction of money, then add or subtract.
SPEND · ROUND 1 OF 3
Half of ₹80
How much is that?
Quick check
✅ VERIFICATION
Meera spends a quarter of her money and has 90 rupees left. How much did she start with?
⚡ Finish the activity above first to answer.
Keep going!