Partitioning Rectangles

Nia and Nico are getting ready for Nia’s family reunion. They have all the decorations and food ready! All the food that is except for the tray bake. When they picked it up from the bakery, it looked delicious, but it is in one, large piece. How will they feed all of Nia's family members? Let's help Nia and Nico by learning about partitioning rectangles! You might have learned that a rectangle is a two dimensional shape with four straight sides and four right angles. When we partition a rectangle into equal-sized squares, we are dividing it into equal parts. This helps us count the space inside. There are many ways to partition, or divide, a rectangle evenly. One way is to use rows and columns of equal size to make the parts the same size. Rows go across, from side to side and columns go up and down. To evenly partition a rectangle, first, make equal rows across. To help us, we can connect the markers. Then, make equal columns up and down. Again, we can use the markers and draw lines connecting them. Finally, count all the squares that were made. This rectangle has six equal squares. Now, let's try partitioning Nia's cake! First, we make three equal rows across. Then, we make four equal columns up and down. Finally, we count all the squares that were made. This rectangular cake has twelve equal squares which means there are twelve equal slices of cake to share! This is perfect because twelve family members just arrived. Uh-oh! More relatives are here! We'll need to partition the entire rectangle again to make sure everyone gets a piece. What is our first step? Our first step is to make equal rows across. This time we'll make four. What is the next step? The next step is to make equal columns up and down. This time we'll make five. Now we count all the squares to see how many squares fit inside the rectangle. How many squares are there? There are twenty squares which means we have twenty equal slices and everyone can have cake! As Nia serves her guests, let's remember! Today we learned about partitioning rectangles into equal-sized squares. We use rows and columns of the same size to help partition into equal-sized squares. Rows go across, from side to side. Columns go up and down. To partition a rectangle into equal-sized squares, first, make equal rows across. Then, make equal columns up and down. Finally, count all the squares that were made. "Nico, would you like a slice?" "Yes!" "Oh thanks?"