What are Fractions?

This Term we have begun learning about Fractions.

We will….

  • Investigate equivalent fractions  by exploring the relationship between families of fractions (halves, quarters and eighths or thirds and sixths) by folding a series of paper strips to construct a fraction wall.
  • Count by quarters halves and thirds along with using mixed numerals and locate and represent these fractions on a number line.
  • Investigate strategies to solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the same denominator.

Firstly we discussed what we thought a fraction was…

A fraction is a part of a whole.

We call the top number the Numerator, it is the number of parts you have.
We call the bottom number the Denominator, it is the number of parts the whole is divided into.

You just have to remember those names! (If you forget just think “Down”-ominator)

We then participated in a number line activity where we were given different simple fractions and we had to use a peg to place on the number line where that fraction would be. This gave us a visual of what a fraction can look like when it’s separated into parts.

Fraction Line Fraction Line Fraction Line Fraction Line IMG_3562

We have also looked at equivalent fractions.

Equivalent Fractions are fractions that can look different but are really the same amount.

4/8 = 2/4 = 1/2
(Four-Eighths)   Two-Quarters)   (One-Half)

courtesy of mathsisfun.com
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courtesy of mathsisfun.com
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courtesy of mathsisfun.com

We were then given a fraction wall and we had to investigate how many different equivalent fractions we could make. This seemed like a simple task to begin with, however as less and less pieces were left to use, it soon became a challenge to find all the equivalent fractions.

Fraction wall fraction wall fraction wall

Next week we will be looking at improper fractions and mixed numbers along with adding and subtracting simple and more complex fractions. We will be looking forward to undertaking our next Math’s Investigation which will involve another problem solving activity relating to the real world. The Investigation will be a Fraction Party!

What activity have you enjoyed doing so far when learning about fractions and why?

What have you learnt about fractions so far?

When have you seen or used fractions to solve a problem in life?

6 thoughts on “What are Fractions?

  1. Dear Mrs Baldwin,
    The activity I have enjoyed the most while doing fractions was the fraction wall
    because we got to use it to make our own equivalent fractions.

    What I learnt about fractions so far is that instead of using pizzas and stuff you can do simple sums (example) 1 over 2 is an equivalent fraction to 3over 6 they are equivalent because if you multiply the two top numerators and the two bottom denominators they Equal the same number .

    No I have not used or seen fractions used to solve problems
    in real life.

    From Anah

  2. Dear Mrs Baldwin,
    the activity I enjoyed was the one where we use pegs and string. I only got to do two but at least I got to do some.

    The thing I have learnt about fractions is that they have to be even. I never knew that they had to be even.
    from Ella

    1. Dear Ella’
      those were my favourite math things to.
      I never knew that fractions had to be equal.

      From Olivia

  3. Dear Mrs Baldwin, The thing i have enjoyed is the times tables math sheet when another teacher was in the room and you tested people in the pod room.

    I learnt to use my times tables to do some fractions Eg:1 2 in other words 1 over 2 and 2
    From Megan over 8.
    _ = _
    4 8

  4. Dear Mrs Baldwin, I think that fractions are really Important because you are probably going to use them lots in life to share things out with your friends and stuff. Times tables are also very Important because they can help you with HEAPS of things !!! especially maths

    Thanks from Fate!

  5. Dear Mrs Baldwin,
    I learnt how to add fractions and I learnt how to see if a fraction is equivalent to another. It is really hard.

    yes I have seen and used fractions before. We had some on our homework contract last year. we use fractions to cut cakes.
    From Gracie

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