Unit fractions: word problems
Key Notes :
1️⃣ What is a Unit Fraction?
- A unit fraction has 1 as the numerator.
- Example: 1/2 , 1/3 , 1/4 ✅
- Think of it as one part of a whole! 🍰
2️⃣ How to Solve Word Problems with Unit Fractions?
Step 1: Read the problem carefully 👀
Step 2: Identify the whole 🏠 or total amount
Step 3: Find the unit fraction part
Step 4: Multiply or divide to find the answer ✖️➗
3️⃣ Words That Help Identify Fractions
- Half = 1/2 ✂️
- Third = 1/3 🍎
- Quarter / Fourth = 1/4🍫
- Fifth = 1/5 🎂
4️⃣ Examples of Word Problems
- Pizza Problem 🍕
- There is 1 pizza cut into 4 equal slices.
- If Ravi eats 1 slice, what fraction of pizza did he eat?
Answer: 1/4
- Water Problem 💧
- A tank has 12 liters of water.
- If 1 liter is taken out, what fraction of the tank is taken?
Answer: 1/12
5️⃣ Tips & Tricks 🌟
- Always check what the “whole” is
- Draw a diagram or pie chart to visualize fractions 🖍️
- Unit fractions always show only 1 part of the whole
- Use real-life examples like slices of pizza, pieces of chocolate, or parts of money 💵
6️⃣ Quick Emoji Guide for Fractions 🍰
- 1/2 = 🍕
- 1/3 = 🍎🍎🍎 (1 part out of 3)
- 1/4 = 🍫🍫🍫🍫 (1 part out of 4)
Learn with an example
😀Samantha is preparing cheese plates for her chess club’s holiday party. She cuts a block of Gruyere into 2 equal pieces.
What fraction represents each piece of the block of Gruyere? ______
The block of Gruyere is the whole.
Samantha cuts the block of Gruyere into 2 equal pieces. The denominator of the fraction is 2.
Each piece is one equal part. The numerator of the fraction is 1.
The fraction 1/2 represents each piece of the block of Gruyere.
😀 In a far off land, a magical gem keeps the fairy palace safe. A mean witch breaks the gem into 3 equal pieces and scatters them into the wind. Sir Goodheart is a brave knight who promises to help the fairies by finding all the pieces.
What fraction represents each piece of the gem? __
The gem is the whole.
The mean witch breaks the gem into 3 equal pieces. The denominator of the fraction is 3.
Each piece is one equal part. The numerator of the fraction is 1.
The fraction 1/3 represents each piece of the gem.
😀 Jasper’s hobby is building robots. His oldest robot has stopped running. Jasper needs to replace some of its wires. He cuts a long wire into 4 equal pieces.
What fraction represents each piece of the wire? __
The wire is the whole.
Jasper cuts the wire into 4 equal pieces. The denominator of the fraction is 4.
Each piece is one equal part. The numerator of the fraction is 1.
The fraction 1/4 represents each piece of the wire.
Let’s practice!
