CBSE Class 5 Mathematics: Parts and Wholes NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

This chapter, 'Parts and Wholes,' for CBSE Class 5 Mathematics, delves into the fundamental concepts of fractions. Through the engaging context of national flags, students will explore how to represent parts of a whole. The solutions guide learners in understanding fractions like one-third and one-fourth, and how visual elements within a flag can affect these proportions. Key activities involve drawing flags, identifying coloured portions, and comparing fractional parts. These NCERT Solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations to help students grasp the visual representation of fractions, reinforcing their understanding for exams and practical applications.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 5
SubjectMathematics
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter4 Parts And Wholes

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, 'Parts and Wholes,' focuses on introducing fractions to Class 5 students using real-world examples like national flags. The exercises involve understanding and representing fractions such as 1/3 and 1/4, and observing how emblems or designs within a flag can alter the perceived size of these fractional parts. Students learn to draw flags, identify colours, and compare proportions, building a foundational understanding of fractions.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of fractions as parts of a whole.
  • Represent fractions like 1/3 and 1/4 visually.
  • Identify and compare fractional parts in real-world objects like flags.
  • Draw and divide shapes to represent given fractions.
  • Explain how emblems affect the proportion of coloured areas in a flag.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Fractions as parts of a whole
  • Representing 1/3
  • Representing 1/4
  • Comparing fractional parts
  • Visualizing fractions in flags
  • Drawing flags
  • Understanding proportions

Important topics

  • Understanding fractions as parts of a whole
  • Visual representation of 1/3 and 1/4
  • Comparing fractional areas in flags
  • Effect of emblems on fractional parts

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Questions and Solutions

NCERT Textbook Page 50: Our Flag

Do you know how to draw the flag? Draw a rectangle of length 8 cm and width 6 cm. Divide it into 3 equal parts and complete the flag. The top one-third of our flag is saffron (or orange). What is the colour of the middle one-third of the flag? Where will you draw the Ashoka Chakra? How much of the flag will you colour green? Is the white colour now less than 1/3 of the flag? Why?
Solution:

Yes, I know how to draw the flag. First, draw a rectangle with a length of 8 cm and a width of 6 cm. To divide it into three equal parts, we can divide the length (8 cm) or the width (6 cm) into three. Dividing the width into three equal parts is easier, giving us three horizontal strips, each 2 cm wide (6 cm / 3 = 2 cm).

The top strip, which is one-third of the flag, is saffron (orange).

The colour of the middle one-third of the flag is white. The Ashoka Chakra, which is blue, will be drawn in the centre of this white portion.

The bottom one-third of the flag will be coloured green.

The white colour is now slightly less than 1/3 of the flag. This is because the blue Ashoka Chakra is placed in the middle of the white portion, taking up some of its space.

The Flag of Afghanistan

(a) Now look at this flag. How much of it is black? (b) The green part of the flag can be written as _______. (c) Is red less than one-third of the flag? Why?
Solution:

(a) Observing the flag of Afghanistan, the black portion represents one-third of the entire flag.

(b) The green part of the flag also represents one-third of the flag.

(c) Yes, the red part is a little less than one-third of the flag. This is because there is a white emblem (a coat of arms) located within the red portion, which reduces the area of the red colour itself.

The Flag of Myanmar

(a) Is blue more than one-fourth of the flag or less? (b) Guess how much of the flag is red. Is it more than 1/2? Is it more than three-fourths?
Solution:

(a) The blue colour in the flag of Myanmar is a little less than one-fourth of the flag. This is because there is a white emblem situated within the blue area, which occupies some space.

(b) The red colour in the flag of Myanmar appears to be the largest portion. It is indeed more than 1/2 of the flag. It also appears to be more than three-fourths of the flag.

Find Out

1. Collect as many flags as you can. How many flags have three colours? Are all the coloured parts equal in these flags?
Solution:

This is an activity-based question that requires collecting and observing actual flags or their images. Students need to look at various national flags and count how many of them use exactly three colours. For each flag found with three colours, they should then examine if the areas of these three colours are equal. For example, the flag of India has three colours (saffron, white, green) plus blue for the Ashoka Chakra, and the coloured parts are not all equal. The flag of USA has red, white, and blue, and the parts are not equal. The flag of Malaysia has stripes of red and white and a blue canton with a star and crescent, and the parts are not equal. The flag of Azerbaijan has three horizontal stripes (blue, red, green) with a white star and crescent in the middle of the red stripe, and the parts are not equal.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the numerator and denominator in fractions.
  • Miscalculating fractional parts when an emblem is present.
  • Difficulty in visually dividing a shape into equal parts.
  • Incorrectly comparing fractions without considering the whole.

Revision tips

  • Practice drawing flags and dividing them into equal parts.
  • Use real flags or pictures to identify different fractional colours.
  • Explain the concept of 'parts of a whole' to a friend or family member.
  • Pay close attention to how emblems affect the size of fractional areas.

Practice MCQs

Q1. In the Indian flag, what fraction of the flag is saffron (orange)?

Q2. If a flag is divided into 3 equal parts, and one part is green, what fraction of the flag is green?

Q3. Why might the white portion of the Indian flag appear slightly less than 1/3?

Q4. In the flag of Afghanistan, what fraction is black?

Q5. What fraction of the flag of Myanmar is blue, considering the white emblem?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main concept covered in Class 5 Maths Chapter 4: Parts and Wholes?

This chapter introduces the concept of fractions as parts of a whole, using examples like national flags to help students visualize and understand fractions such as 1/3 and 1/4.

How do the NCERT Solutions for Parts and Wholes help students?

The solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each question, helping students understand how to identify, represent, and compare fractional parts in visual contexts like flags.

Are there any specific flags discussed in this chapter?

Yes, the chapter uses the Indian flag, the flag of Afghanistan, and the flag of Myanmar as examples to illustrate the concepts of parts and wholes.

What is the significance of the Ashoka Chakra in the Indian flag example?

The Ashoka Chakra is used to demonstrate how an emblem within a coloured section can make that section appear slightly less than its theoretical fractional part (e.g., white being slightly less than 1/3).

Can students draw the flags using these solutions?

Yes, the chapter includes instructions for drawing a rectangle and dividing it to represent the Indian flag, and the solutions reinforce these visual aspects of fractions.

Important links

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