A Closer Look at Fractions!

A Closer Look at Fractions!

By Mr. Berkley

What is a fraction?

• A fraction is a number that represents EQUAL PARTS of a WHOLE item or group.

• A fraction is made up of two parts: the numerator and the denominator.

NUMERATOR and DENOMINATOR

The numerator is the TOP number in a fraction. it identifies the number of EQUAL PARTS that are shaded in or taken away from the whole.

The denominator is the BOTTOM number in a fraction. It identifies the TOTAL NUMBER of EQUAL PARTS that make up the WHOLE.

Some rules about fractions...

• The LARGER the denominator, the smaller the EQUAL PARTS that make up the whole.

• The LARGER the denominator, the more equal parts needed to make up the whole.

LARGER denominator = SMALLER EQUAL PARTS

Breaking a Snickers bar into THREE equal parts (thirds) would make bigger pieces than if you cut it into TEN equal pieces (tenths).

Cutting a pizza into EIGHT equal slices (eighths) would create smaller slices than cutting it into six equal slices (sixths).

LARGER denominator = MORE EQUAL PARTS to make a WHOLE

It takes two halves to make one WHOLE (2/2)

It takes four fourths to make one WHOLE (4/4).

It takes eight eighths to make one WHOLE (8/8).

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture on the left (you can click on it if you can't see it).

Which of those fractions is the LARGEST?

• 1/2

• 1/4

• 1/7

• 1/16

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture on the left (you can click on it if you can't see it).

Which of those fractions is the SMALLEST?

• 1/2

• 1/4

• 1/7

• 1/16

Now let's talk about mixed numbers...

What is a mixed number?

A mixed number is a number that has a WHOLE NUMBER with a FRACTION beside it.

What does each part of a mixed number identify?

The whole number in a mixed number identifies how many whole items or groups are shaded in.

The fraction in a mixed number represents how many equal parts are shaded in within an item or group that is not completely shaded in.

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture on the left (you can click on it, if you can't see it clearly).

What is the mixed number represented in the picture?

• 3 2/5

• 3 3/5

• 4 2/5

• 4 3/5

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture on the left (you can click on it if you can't see it).

What mixed number sis being represented in this picture?

• 3 1/2

• 2 3/4

• 3 1/4

• 2 1/4

And finally let's look at IMPROPER FRACTIONS...

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What is an improper fraction?

• An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is LARGER than the denominator.

• 7/6 is an improper fraction.

• 3/2 is an improper fraction.

• 8/4 is an improper fraction.

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture on the left (you can click on it, if you can see it).

How would your identify 3 3/5 as an improper fraction?

• 2/15

• 3 2/5

• 18/5

• 2/5

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture on the left (you can click on it, if you can see it).

How would your identify 7/4 as a MIXED NUMBER?

• 1 1/4

• 1 1/3

• 4/7

• 1 3/4

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture on the left (you can click on it, if you can see it).

How would your identify 2 1/4 as an IMPROPER FRACTION?

• 1 1/4

• 9/4

• 4/9

• 4/3

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture on the left (you can click on it, if you can see it).

How would your identify 1 3/4 as an IMPROPER FRACTION?

• 7/4

• 7/7

• 4/7

• 1/4