Download everything you need to know about fractions

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FRACTIONS
**Items in orange are hyperlinked to great websites **
What is a fraction?
Answer: A fraction is a number that names part of a whole or group.
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Money (the real kind) and candy (especially after Halloween)
are great manipulatives for teaching fractions
Coolmath4kids.com: What are Fractions?
Dr. Mike’s Math Games for Kids: Fraction Dominoes
Kids Online Resources: Fraction Tutorial
What is a numerator?
Answer: A numerator is the top number in a fraction: (for example:
1/2)
What is a denominator?
Answer: A denominator is the bottom number in a fraction (for
example: 1/2).
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I remember denominator because downstairs and denominator
both begin with the letter “d”.
How do you add fractions with common denominators?
Answer: Just add the numerators and the denominators stay the
same! (for example: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6)
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Coolmath.com: Adding Fractions with Like Denominators
AAA Math: Adding Fractions with the Same Denominator
How do you subtract fractions with common denominators?
Answer: Just subtract the numerators and the denominators stay
the same! (for example: 3/6 - 2/6 = 1/6)
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Coolmath.com: Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators
How do you add or subtract fractions with uncommon
denominators? (for example: 2/3 + 3/6 = ? or 2/2 – 3/6 = ?)
Answer: Before you can add or subtract fractions with uncommon
denominators, you first have to change the fractions so that all
fractions being added or subtracted have the same denominator.
This can be a little tricky. The Web sites below are awesome:
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Coolmath.com: Adding & Subtracting Fractions When the
Denominators are Different
FunBrain.com: Soccer Shootout – Fraction Addition
FunBrain.com: Soccer Shootout – Fraction Subtraction
How do you compare fractions?
Answer: Comparing fractions can be tricky. Check out the Web sites
below for great examples and explanations:
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Coolmath.com: Which Fraction is Greater? (Part 1)
Coolmath.com: Which Fraction is Greater? (Part 2)
AAA Math: Comparing Unlike Fractions
How do you simplify or reduce fractions?
Answer: A simplest form of a fraction is a fraction where the only
common factor of the numerator and the denominator is 1.
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I like to explain to children that numerators and denominators
are like sisters and brothers—they need to be treated “the
same”. Whatever you give to one, you must give the exact
same to the other or “it wouldn’t be fair”.
For example, if you divide the numerator by 3, then you must
divide the denominator by 3. If you don’t treat the
numerators and denominators the same when reducing them,
it would be like giving one sister two cookies and the other
sister one cookie. It just would not be fair.
The Web site below gives great explanations and examples of
how to reduce or simplify fractions:
o Coolmath.com: Simplifying Fractions
How do you multiply fractions?
Answer: Just multiply the numerators and denominators of the
fractions and reduce the answer to its simplest form if needed.
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Coolmath.com: Multiplying Fractions
FunBrain.com: Soccer Shootout – Fraction Multiplication
How do you divide fractions?
Answer: Just multiply the numerators and denominators AFTER
flipping the second fraction and then reduce to simplest form if
needed.
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Coolmath.com: Dividing Fractions
What are equivalent fractions?
Answer: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same
number (for example: 1/4 = 3/12).
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Coolmath.com: Equivalent Fractions
Harcourt School Publishers: Match Fractions and Fraction
Models
Primary Games: Fraction Freeze
What are mixed numbers?
Answer: A mixed number is a number that combines whole number
and a fraction (for example: 2 5/6).
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Coolmath.com: Fractions – Mixed Numbers
Coolmath.com: Fractions – Dividing Fractions with Whole and
Mixed Numbers
What are improper fractions?
Answer: An improper fraction is when the numerator is bigger than
the denominator; making the number larger than one (for example:
12/3).
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Coolmath.com: Improper Fractions