Fair share of fractions

Fractions are all around us. There are many places you might experience fractions that you might not even realize, like telling time from a clock, reading fractions on road signs, or dividing a pie. You want to make sure you are getting your fair share so fractions are important. Fractions help us understand the parts of wholes and allow us to compare them by finding their differences or sums that add up to wholes. The previous image of a chocolate bar was divided into equal parts. How many squares were there? Think about how you would divide those squares.

Parts of a fraction

Check out this TVO Kids video entitled “Parts of a Fraction” that shares with you the different parts of a fraction.

What was new learning for you? Record this new learning in a method of your choice.

Tools to add and subtract fractions

Let’s review some tools that we can use to help us understand how to add and subtract fractions.

Fraction strips

Fraction strips are helpful when we need to convert fractions so that they have common denominators. If we add fractions with different denominators, they would not necessarily be describing the same parts of a whole.

Comparing fractions

Check out this TVO Kids video entitled “Homework Zone: Math – Comparing Fractions” that shares how to compare fractions with the same denominator!

Lowest common denominator

First, you need to list the multiples of each denominator. A multiple is the result of counting by a certain number, adding, or multiplying. If we were to record the multiples of 2 we would count by 2s or add 2 to get the next number, for example, 2, 4, 6, 8.

In the following sample question, we have fractions with 2 denominators, 6 and 8. Once you have listed out the multiples, you will then find the lowest multiple that both denominators have in common. In this case it would be is 24.

Next, you’ll have to create a new fraction that uses the same lowest common multiple as your denominator to create an equivalent fraction. When you put the original fraction $\frac{4}{6}$  beside $\frac{?}{24},$  you need to figure out what you multiplied 6 by to get to 24. Since you know that 6 × 4 is 24, we need to also multiply the numerator by that same number as well. Therefore, our new equivalent fraction for $\frac{4}{6}$  is $\frac{16}{24}.$

We need to do the same for the second fraction so that it is also out of 24 before we can complete the number sentence.

In fractions, we just have to add or subtract the numerators. The denominator will stay the same. So, $\frac{16}{24}$  $- \frac{9}{24}$  will be $\frac{7}{24}.$ 

The denominator is the same, we just subtracted 9 from 16.

Task: Solving addition problems

If you would like, you can complete this word problem using TVO Mathify You can also use your notebook or the following fillable and printable document.

Solve the following addition problems, using the lowest common denominator and a number line.

$\frac{1}{3}+\frac{7}{4},$    $\frac{1}{2}+\frac{7}{8},$    $\frac{3}{5}$   $+\frac{1}{3},$   $\frac{2}{3}+\frac{1}{4},$     $\frac{5}{8}+\frac{3}{5}$

If you would like, you can complete this activity using TVO Mathify. You can also use your notebook or the following fillable and printable document.

Fractions are everywhere

Task 1: Real world question 1

A part time landscaper earned approximately $46.00 - $57.00 a week. Think about how they might spend their money. What fraction of their earnings might go to purchasing things, food, saving, etc.? Imagine the different ways that they could distribute their money.

Task 2: Real world question 2

If you would like, you can complete this word problem using TVO Mathify You can also use your notebook or the following fillable and printable document.”

Three friends are planning a surprise birthday party for a classmate. There was unfortunately a miscommunication and they all bought three different pizzas as follows:

• Friend 1 bought an extra large pizza that has 18 slices
• Friend 2 bought a large pizza with 9 slices
• Friend 3 bought a party size pizza with 36 slices

At the end of the party, $\frac{1}{4}$ of the extra-large was left, $\frac{1}{2}$ of the party size was left, and $\frac{1}{4}$ of the large was left. What fraction represents the total amount of leftover pizza?

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

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