Here is a real problem to warm us up: a €60 prize is being split so that Aoife gets two fifths of it. Before we work anything out, what is the whole here? And which fraction of it do we actually need?

Real problems rarely say 'find a fraction of'. You have to read carefully, decide what the whole is, then work the fraction. Your teacher will work three on the board with you: two fifths of a €60 prize, three quarters of a 2 litre bottle, and two thirds of €30 spent. For each one, find the whole, split it into equal parts, then take the parts you need.

Today we work three problems together. First 2/5 of €35, then 3/4 of 24, and finally a two-step problem: a €48 voucher, Liam spends 1/2, then gives 1/3 of what is left to his sister. How much does he keep?

Crack a five-clue fraction mystery from a shop, a GAA club and the school breakfast. Clue one: two thirds of 120 euro is raised at the shop collection. Clue two: three quarters of the 80 club tickets are sold. Clue three: five sixths of the 60 breakfast yoghurts are taken. Clue four: four fifths of the 50 euro left in the tin is spent. Clue five: from €40, two fifths goes on bread, and three quarters of what is left goes on fruit. For each clue, find the whole, split it into equal parts, then take the fraction. Work each one, and check it before the next.