Math: Numbers & Operations - Fractions
To have fun with fractions, it helps to get to know them!
You'll also want to play with their cousins, the mixed numbers. Click here for the basics about fractions and mixed numbers, and how they're related to our old friends, the whole numbers. 7 things to know about solving problems with fractions: Click on the highlighted words to learn how you can... 1. Add & subtract fractions with different denominators. Ex. . 1 + 2 = ? 7/8 - 1/3 = ? 4 5 2. Solve real-world problems that require adding and subtracting fractions, and I can estimate to see if my answer is reasonable (makes sense). Ex. Shakira and Maria went to the store to buy Jelly Bear candy. There were 5 bags of Ace Jelly Bears and 12 bags of Juicy Jelly Bears left in the store. Shakira got 2 "Ace" bags and Maria got 3 "Juicy" bags. What fraction of the bags of Jelly Bears did the girls get all together? 3. Understand that fractions are really division problems, and solve real-world problems where I divide whole numbers where the answers that are fractions or mixed numbers. Ex. 5/8 = 5 ÷ 8 If 4 students are equally sharing 12 doughnuts, how much does each student get? Each student gets 12 divided by 4, which is 3 doughnuts each. 4. a) multiply fractions or whole numbers by a fraction b) understand how to multiply a fraction by a whole number, and c) find the area of a rectangle that has fractional side lengths. Ex. 5 × 3/4 = ? 2/9 × 3/5 = ? Ex. What is the area of a rectangle with a length that measures 3/4 foot and a width that measures 1/2 foot? |
And learn how you can....
5. ...think of multiplication as scaling, or resizing. This includes 4 different aspects: a) mentally compare fractions b) explain why I get bigger products when I multiply times an improper fraction (more than 1) c) explain why I get smaller products when I multiply times a proper fraction (less than 1) d) understand how multiplying by 1 helps me create equivalent fractions Ex. a) Write >, =, or < 1/2 __ 4/5 Explain the idea of "benchmark fractions." Ex. b) Explain why 6/2 × 3 will give me an answer that is greater than 3. Ex. c) Explain why 2/6 × 3 will give me an answer that is less than 3. Ex. d) Create an equivalent fraction for 3/5. Understand that 2/2 = 2 ÷ 2 = 1 So I can multiply 3/5 × 2/2 to get 6/10. 6/10 = 3/5 6. ...solve real-world problems that involve multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers. Ex. Nathan is baking chocolate chip cookies. The recipe makes 15 servings. The ingredients include 1 1/2 pounds of flour. How much flour does he need if wants to make 2/3 of the recipe? 7. ...divide fractions by whole numbers (not 0) or whole numbers by fractions, and solve real-world problems that where I need to divide fractions. Ex. Divide: a) 4/5 ÷ 6 b) 6 ÷ 4/5 Ex. c) 7 workers can build 3 wooden chairs in 10 days. How much of a chair can each worker make? |