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Fractions!
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Fraction Strips
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Equivalent Fractions
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Comparing and Ordering Fractions
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Alright guys, we are onto our last "big" unit of the year - fractions! We will start with a basic review of what fractions are below, then continue to the next tabs to learn about equivalent fractions, and how to compare and order fractions. Next week, we will look at turning fractions into decimals!
To start with, every fraction has a numerator and a denominator. The numerator is the top number, and represents the pieces that are coloured in. The denominator is the bottom number, and represents the total number of pieces in the picture. I think of it as the denominator is downstairs.
Let's do some basic review:This shape is split into a total of four pieces. Of those four pieces, three are shaded in blue. That means the fraction for this picture is:
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The good news is that the first two practice questions are done for you. Now, just to get your mind wrapped around looking at fractions, please practice identifying the fractions below.
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/rtf.png)
basic fractions review.docx | |
File Size: | 235 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Below is a set of fraction strips. These will help you LOTS this week. Look to the next tab on how these could help you...
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/rtf.png)
fraction_strips.docx | |
File Size: | 87 kb |
File Type: | docx |
The word equivalent is just a fancy word for equal.
Some fractions have different numbers, but that doesn't mean that they aren't worth the same amount. Look at the pictures below to show that different fractions are actually the same.
Now, look to the picture to the right. On here, the diagram shows us that 3/4 is the same as 6/8, because that is how many shaded pieces make the two fractions equivalent. But what if you don't have pictures to help you? In this case, you can follow the Golden Rule of equivalent fractions - whatever you do to the top, do to the bottom as well (or whatever you do to the bottom, do to the top!). In this case, we multiplied 4 x 2 to get 8. So, we must multiply the 3 by 2 as well. 3x2 = 6, so the equivalent fraction is 6/8. The golden rule works for dividing as well. Looking at the question on the right, we need to multiply or divide the 9 by something to get it down to 3. Well, 9 ÷ 3 is three. What we do to the bottom, we do to the top, so 6 ÷ 3 will give us our numerator. This is telling us that 6/9 is equivalent to 2/3.
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Looking at the fraction strips to the side, you can see that 1/2 is the same amount as 2/4, which is also the same amount as 4/8. In other words, if you get a half of a pie, you can eat the whole half now, or you can cut it and eat smaller pieces of it over the next few days. Just because you get more pieces, doesn't mean you get more pie though!
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Okay, so what I typed out there may have been a bit confusing - the video down below does a great job of illustrating that concept to you, so give it a watch!
I hope this is starting to "click" with you now! Try the questions below to get more comfortable with equivalent fractions:
For the "tricky" questions, try using your fraction strips - they can sure be helpful!
For the "tricky" questions, try using your fraction strips - they can sure be helpful!
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/rtf.png)
equivalent fractions practice.docx | |
File Size: | 107 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Ordering Fractions with the same denominator:
The two pictures above show pretty clearly that when you have the same denominator, the higher the numerator the bigger the fraction.
Ordering Fractions with the same denominator:
As you can see here, ordering fractions with the same numerators is opposite of above. In this case the smaller the denominator, the bigger the fraction. It seems backwards, but when you look at the pictures, it makes sense! Would you rather have one piece of cake that is cut into 4 pieces, or get one piece of cake that is cut into 10 pieces? Of course, if you cut it into more pieces, each piece will be smaller.
Ordering Fractions with different numerators and denominators:
The best way to compare fractions is to use the fraction strips! For example, if I were to compare 4/7 and 7/10, I would see that 7/10 is longer than the other fraction, so it is therefore larger. If I were to compare a third fraction, for example, 6/9, then the order of those fractions, from least to greatest would be:
4/7, 6/9, 7/10
4/7, 6/9, 7/10
Now, to finish off this week in math, please complete the practice linked below:
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/rtf.png)
comparing fractions practice | |
File Size: | 163 kb |
File Type: | docx |