Name a Fraction of a Whole
Explain numerator and denominator using equal-sized parts.
Supplied materials
- Paper and a pencil, or say your answers aloud.
Learn the idea
A fraction describes equal-sized parts of a named whole. In 3/8, the denominator 8 says the whole is split into eight equal parts. The numerator 3 says three of those parts are selected.
Equal parts matter: three uneven pieces out of eight uneven pieces do not necessarily make 3/8 of the whole. Comparing fractions also requires the same-sized whole. We will use matching paper strips.
- Draw a strip divided into four equal boxes and shade one box.
- Label that shaded part 1/4: one chosen part out of four equal parts.
- Draw a matching strip divided into eight equal boxes.
- Shade three boxes and label the fraction.
See the method in action
One shaded box in four equal boxes is 1/4 of that strip. The 4 counts all equal parts; the 1 counts shaded parts.
Check your reasoning
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See the answer and explanation
3/8
There are eight equal parts in the whole and three shaded parts, so the fraction is 3/8. The five unshaded parts would be 5/8.
Take it further
Shade one more of the eight parts. The shaded fraction becomes 4/8, which is half the strip. Check by comparing the four shaded boxes with the four unshaded boxes.
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