1. Exploring Fractions
created by Michele Hinkle

2. 3 9 A fraction is a way of representing part of a whole or
part of a group.
The number that tells
how many equal parts
are described is the
numerator.
What fraction of the
candy is orange? 3 9
The number that tells
the number of equal
parts in the whole is
called the denominator.

3. The pizza has been cut into three equal parts. We call these
thirds. A third is written as 1 3 .

4. The whole pizza cut into three equal parts gives us thirds.
Think about just one slice.
We can write this using a
fraction 1
3 .

5. Think about two slices. Two slices is two thirds. We can
write two thirds as 2
3 .
The top number of the
fraction tells us how
many slices we have.
We call it the numerator.
The bottom number tells
us how many parts in the
whole pizza. We call it the
denominator.

6. If all the pieces of a whole are present, we call that 1 whole.
Since 6 slices of the cake are present, we can say that 6
= 1 whole

7. Here are all the fractions you can make from a
cake cut into six slices.

8. Representing Fractions3 6

9. Equivalent Fractions

10. Equivalent Fractions name the same amount.1 2 4 3 8 5 6 7
4 and 8
are equivalent fractions.

11. To find equivalent fractions, you can multiply the numerator
and denominator of a fraction by the same nonzero number. 2 5 = 2 5 =
2 x 2
5 x 2 = 4 10 2 5 =
2 x 3
5 x 3 = 6 15

12. Compare 1 2 and 3 7 = , 1. Multiply 1 2 x 3 6 2. Compare 3 6 and 7
Since 3 6
is not the same as 7
these fractions are not equivalent ,

13. Simplifying Fractions
A fraction is in simplest
form when its numerator
and denominator have
no common factors other
than 1.

14. ÷ = ÷ 1 6 18 3 2 2 2 6 = 1 3 3 is a common factor of 6 and 18.
Divide the numerator and the
denominator by a common
factor. 6 18 ÷ = 3 2
3 is a common factor of 6 and 18.
1 and 3 have no
other common
factor greater
than 1. 2
Keep dividing by common
factors until the only common
factor is 1. 2 6 = ÷ 1 3
2 is a common factor of 2 and 6.