Unit fractions: word problems
Key Notes :
- A fraction represents a part of a whole.
- The bottom of a fraction is the number of equal parts in the whole. It is called the denominator.
- The top of a fraction is the number of those equal parts you are talking about. It is called the numerator.
Learn with an example
đŸ˜€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.
đŸ˜€ 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.
đŸ˜€ 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!
