EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FRACTIONS



EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FRACTIONS

**Items in orange are hyperlinked to great websites **

What is a fraction?

Answer: A fraction is a number that names part of a whole or group.

• Money (the real kind) and candy (especially after Halloween) are great manipulatives for teaching fractions

• : What are Fractions?

• Dr. Mike’s Math Games for Kids: Fraction Dominoes

• Kids Online Resources: Fraction Tutorial

What is a numerator?

Answer: A numerator is the top number in a fraction: (for example: 1/2)

What is a denominator?

Answer: A denominator is the bottom number in a fraction (for example: 1/2).

• I remember denominator because downstairs and denominator both begin with the letter “d”.

How do you add fractions with common denominators?

Answer: Just add the numerators and the denominators stay the same! (for example: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6)

• : Adding Fractions with Like Denominators

• AAA Math: Adding Fractions with the Same Denominator

How do you subtract fractions with common denominators?

Answer: Just subtract the numerators and the denominators stay the same! (for example: 3/6 - 2/6 = 1/6)

• : Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators

How do you add or subtract fractions with uncommon denominators? (for example: 2/3 + 3/6 = ? or 2/2 – 3/6 = ?)

Answer: Before you can add or subtract fractions with uncommon denominators, you first have to change the fractions so that all fractions being added or subtracted have the same denominator. This can be a little tricky. The Web sites below are awesome:

• : Adding & Subtracting Fractions When the Denominators are Different

• : Soccer Shootout – Fraction Addition

• : Soccer Shootout – Fraction Subtraction

How do you compare fractions?

Answer: Comparing fractions can be tricky. Check out the Web sites below for great examples and explanations:

• : Which Fraction is Greater? (Part 1)

• : Which Fraction is Greater? (Part 2)

• AAA Math: Comparing Unlike Fractions

How do you simplify or reduce fractions?

Answer: A simplest form of a fraction is a fraction where the only common factor of the numerator and the denominator is 1.

• I like to explain to children that numerators and denominators are like sisters and brothers—they need to be treated “the same”. Whatever you give to one, you must give the exact same to the other or “it wouldn’t be fair”.

• For example, if you divide the numerator by 3, then you must divide the denominator by 3. If you don’t treat the numerators and denominators the same when reducing them, it would be like giving one sister two cookies and the other sister one cookie. It just would not be fair.

• The Web site below gives great explanations and examples of how to reduce or simplify fractions:

o : Simplifying Fractions

How do you multiply fractions?

Answer: Just multiply the numerators and denominators of the fractions and reduce the answer to its simplest form if needed.

• : Multiplying Fractions

• : Soccer Shootout – Fraction Multiplication

How do you divide fractions?

Answer: Just multiply the numerators and denominators AFTER flipping the second fraction and then reduce to simplest form if needed.

• : Dividing Fractions

What are equivalent fractions?

Answer: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same number (for example: 1/4 = 3/12).

• : Equivalent Fractions

• Harcourt School Publishers: Match Fractions and Fraction Models

• Primary Games: Fraction Freeze

What are mixed numbers?

Answer: A mixed number is a number that combines whole number and a fraction (for example: 2 5/6).

• : Fractions – Mixed Numbers

• : Fractions – Dividing Fractions with Whole and Mixed Numbers

What are improper fractions?

Answer: An improper fraction is when the numerator is bigger than the denominator; making the number larger than one (for example: 12/3).

• : Improper Fractions

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download