REVIEW ON FRACTIONS
What you might already know about Fractions?
A fraction is made up of a numerator (the number at the top) and a denominator (the number at the bottom).
For example, ½ is a fraction:
For example, ½ is a fraction:
The numerator is the number that shows how many parts we have or are interested in.
The denominator is the number that shows the amount of parts that are or were possible to make the WHOLE.
Like when you fold a piece of paper to discover:
1 fold creates 1 part of 2 pieces that make a whole (1/2)
2 folds creates 1 part of 4 pieces that make a whole (1/4) and
3 folds creates 1 part of eight pieces that make a whole (1/8).
Can you see the pattern that emerges…? With each fold the denominator is doubled.
WHOLE numbers can also be fractions as the denominator is always 1, 1 part to make the WHOLE. Both ÷ or / are signs that represent division, so the line between the numerator and denominator is actually a divide sign. Below is an example of how the WHOLE number 4 can also be a fraction:
The denominator is the number that shows the amount of parts that are or were possible to make the WHOLE.
Like when you fold a piece of paper to discover:
1 fold creates 1 part of 2 pieces that make a whole (1/2)
2 folds creates 1 part of 4 pieces that make a whole (1/4) and
3 folds creates 1 part of eight pieces that make a whole (1/8).
Can you see the pattern that emerges…? With each fold the denominator is doubled.
WHOLE numbers can also be fractions as the denominator is always 1, 1 part to make the WHOLE. Both ÷ or / are signs that represent division, so the line between the numerator and denominator is actually a divide sign. Below is an example of how the WHOLE number 4 can also be a fraction:
What about how fractions are used?
A half (1/2) is a fraction that is used in everyday language quite regularly, it could be half of a chocolate bar, half of an hour, half a cup, half of a metre.
A quarter (1/4) is fairly common also, a large pie can be quartered, a quarter of a year, quarter past on the clock.
An eighth (1/8) is a little less common but there a still a few good examples, like an eighth of a pizza, an orange can be cut into eighths, cake too and probably a block of chocolate!
Activity – Matching Fraction Cards/MEMORY
Materials Needed:
*Card paper
*Lead pencil
*Coloured pencils
*Scissors
In a group, your task is to create a game of MEMORY. Each person will fold a sheet of card in half and make 2 examples for each ½, ¼, and 1/8 of everyday objects. The objects will need to be drawn in there fraction pieces on to one side of the card and then the matching fraction (in number form) on the other piece of card. Once everyone has finished making the cards, they can be cut up, placed face down and mixed up for a game of MEMORY. The player with the most cards on completion of the game wins!
TIP: If you get stuck for ideas of everyday objects, there are plenty of foods that can be divided into fractions and you are welcome to use 1 or 2 of the ideas listed above.
Try this game out, for practice with fractions:
http://www.vectorkids.com/vkfractions.htm
A half (1/2) is a fraction that is used in everyday language quite regularly, it could be half of a chocolate bar, half of an hour, half a cup, half of a metre.
A quarter (1/4) is fairly common also, a large pie can be quartered, a quarter of a year, quarter past on the clock.
An eighth (1/8) is a little less common but there a still a few good examples, like an eighth of a pizza, an orange can be cut into eighths, cake too and probably a block of chocolate!
Activity – Matching Fraction Cards/MEMORY
Materials Needed:
*Card paper
*Lead pencil
*Coloured pencils
*Scissors
In a group, your task is to create a game of MEMORY. Each person will fold a sheet of card in half and make 2 examples for each ½, ¼, and 1/8 of everyday objects. The objects will need to be drawn in there fraction pieces on to one side of the card and then the matching fraction (in number form) on the other piece of card. Once everyone has finished making the cards, they can be cut up, placed face down and mixed up for a game of MEMORY. The player with the most cards on completion of the game wins!
TIP: If you get stuck for ideas of everyday objects, there are plenty of foods that can be divided into fractions and you are welcome to use 1 or 2 of the ideas listed above.
Try this game out, for practice with fractions:
http://www.vectorkids.com/vkfractions.htm