Introduction to Fractions

Have you ever wondered about fractions? What is a fraction? When do we use fractions? How do we add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions? In this program you will learn the answers to these questions and more. When you look around you can see fractions used in many ways.

Fractions can be used in many ways. Someone might say the time on this clock is half past 2. Or it might take you half of an hour to do your homework. If you have 3 friends over for pizza, you will each get one fourth of the pizza. Your teacher might divide the class into 6 groups for an activity. One sixth of the class would be in each group.

Understanding Fractions will help you to follow recipes when you are cooking or baking. If you are building something, you may need to use fractions to help you cut the pieces into the right lengths. Understanding fractions will help you in many ways so let’s begin. First, we’ll look at how fractions are written.

The bottom number of a fraction tells how many parts are in each whole group. The bottom number of this fraction is 4. The 4 tells us how many parts to make in each whole group. 4 The top number tells how many parts we use, so we shade in 3 parts. 3

Your Turn. In a fraction what does the bottom number tell? That’s right, it tells how many parts to make in each whole group. What does the top number tell? Yes, it tells how many parts we use, or how many parts to shade in.

Look at this fraction 5 3 What is the bottom number? Yes, 3. How many groups should we make in each circle? 3. What is the top number? 5. How many parts should we shade?

Let’s look at another fraction. 5 6 How many parts should we make in each circle? Yes, 6. How many parts should we shade in? That’s right, 5. Remember, the bottom number of a fraction tells us how many parts to make in each whole, and the top number tells us how many parts we use or shade in.

Your turn. Find problem 1 of part A on your worksheet. What is the first fraction? Yes, 5 2 Divide each circle into the right number of parts. This is what you should have. Now shade the number of parts you use. This is what you should have. Check your work.

Now look at problem 2 on your worksheet. 7 4 Divide each circle in to the right number of parts. This is what you should have. Now shade the number of parts you use. This is what you should have. Check your work.

You have successfully completed part 1 of the fractions package. Good Job!! Return to Start of Slide Show