Fractions of a whole: word problems
key notes :
🔹 Fractions of a Whole: Word Problems 🔹
📌 What is a Fraction?
A fraction shows part of a whole.
Example: 🍎 If 1 out of 4 apples is red → fraction = 1/4.
🔢 Numerator & Denominator
Numerator (top number) → parts we have. ✋
Denominator (bottom number) → total equal parts of the whole. 🍰
➗ Finding Fraction of a Whole
Step 1: Identify the whole. 🏠
Step 2: Read the fraction carefully. ½, ⅓, ¾…
Step 3: Multiply the fraction by the total.
Formula: Fraction × Whole = Part
Example: ½ of 12 candies = ½ × 12 = 6 🍬
💡 Word Problem Strategy
Step 1: Read the problem carefully 👀
Step 2: Identify the whole (total items) 🏀
Step 3: Identify the fraction given ✨
Step 4: Multiply the fraction by the whole = answer 🎯
Step 5: Check if the answer makes sense ✅
📝 Examples
1️⃣ A pizza has 8 slices. If you eat 3/8, how many slices did you eat?
3/8 × 8 = 3 slices 🍕
2️⃣ There are 24 students. 1/3 of them are girls. How many girls?
1/3 × 24 = 8 girls 👧
🎨 Tips & Tricks
Draw a diagram to visualize the fraction 📊
Use real objects like candies or fruits 🍌🍓
Always simplify your answer if needed ✂️
❗ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Multiplying numerator and denominator separately ❌
Forgetting the total as the whole ❌
Not simplifying the fraction of the part ❌
🏆 Quick Reminder
Fraction of a whole = Part of total
Use multiplication to solve word problems 🧮
Learn with an example
😮 Reshma is making a round rug for the floor in her bedroom. Reshma uses 3 equal-sized pieces of cloth to make her rug. Reshma uses 1 piece of colorful cloth. The rest of the pieces are plain white cloth.
What fraction of the rug is colorful?
The rug is the whole.
Nicole makes the rug out of 3 equal-sized pieces of cloth. The denominator of the fraction is 3.
Nicole uses 1 piece of colorful cloth. The rest of the pieces are plain white cloth. The numerator of the fraction is 1.
In Nicole’s bedroom, 1/3 of the rug is colorful.
😮 Ollie and his dad are making rock candy. The first step is to pour sugar into boiling water. So, Ollie opens a 4-cup bag of sugar. Ollie’s dad pours 1 cup into the water.
What fraction of the bag of sugar does Ollie’s dad pour into the water?
The bag of sugar is the whole.When Ollie opens the bag of sugar, it has 4 cups in it. The denominator of the fraction is 4.
Ollie’s dad pours 1 cup into the water. The numerator of the fraction is 1.
Ollie’s dad pours 1/4 of the bag of sugar into the water.
Let’s practice!
