Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Understand the meaning of fractions
- Model improper fractions and mixed numbers
- Convert between improper fractions and mixed numbers
- Model equivalent fractions
- Find equivalent fractions
- Locate fractions and mixed numbers on the number line
- Order fractions and mixed numbers
Be Prepared 4.1
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
Simplify:
If you missed this problem, review Example 2.8.
Be Prepared 4.2
Fill in the blank with or
If you missed this problem, review Example 3.2.
Understand the Meaning of Fractions
Andy and Bobby love pizza. On Monday night, they share a pizza equally. How much of the pizza does each one get? Are you thinking that each boy gets half of the pizza? That’s right. There is one whole pizza, evenly divided into two parts, so each boy gets one of the two equal parts.
In math, we write to mean one out of two parts.
On Tuesday, Andy and Bobby share a pizza with their parents, Fred and Christy, with each person getting an equal amount of the whole pizza. How much of the pizza does each person get? There is one whole pizza, divided evenly into four equal parts. Each person has one of the four equal parts, so each has of the pizza.
On Wednesday, the family invites some friends over for a pizza dinner. There are a total of people. If they share the pizza equally, each person would get of the pizza.
Fractions
A fraction is a way to represent parts of a whole. The denominator represents the number of equal parts the whole has been divided into, and the numerator represents how many parts are included. The denominator, cannot equal zero because division by zero is undefined.
In Figure 4.2, the circle has been divided into three parts of equal size. Each part represents of the circle. This type of model is called a fraction circle. Other shapes, such as rectangles, can also be used to model fractions.
Manipulative Mathematics
What does the fraction represent? The fraction means two of three equal parts.
Example 4.1
Name the fraction of the shape that is shaded in each of the figures.
Solution
We need to ask two questions. First, how many equal parts are there? This will be the denominator. Second, of these equal parts, how many are shaded? This will be the numerator.
ⓐ
Five out of eight parts are shaded. Therefore, the fraction of the circle that is shaded is
ⓑ
Two out of nine parts are shaded. Therefore, the fraction of the square that is shaded is
Try It 4.1
Name the fraction of the shape that is shaded in each figure:
Try It 4.2
Name the fraction of the shape that is shaded in each figure:
Example 4.2
Shade of the circle.
Solution
The denominator is so we divide the circle into four equal parts ⓐ.
The numerator is so we shade three of the four parts ⓑ.
of the circle is shaded.
Try It 4.3
Shade of the circle.
Try It 4.4
Shade of the rectangle.
In Example 4.1 and Example 4.2, we used circles and rectangles to model fractions. Fractions can also be modeled as manipulatives called fraction tiles, as shown in Figure 4.3. Here, the whole is modeled as one long, undivided rectangular tile. Beneath it are tiles of equal length divided into different numbers of equally sized parts.
We’ll be using fraction tiles to discover some basic facts about fractions. Refer to Figure 4.3 to answer the following questions:
How many tiles does it take to make one whole tile? | It takes two halves to make a whole, so two out of two is |
How many tiles does it take to make one whole tile? | It takes three thirds, so three out of three is |
How many tiles does it take to make one whole tile? | It takes four fourths, so four out of four is |
How many tiles does it take to make one whole tile? | It takes six sixths, so six out of six is |
What if the whole were divided into equal parts? (We have not shown fraction tiles to represent this, but try to visualize it in your mind.) How many tiles does it take to make one whole tile? | It takes twenty-fourths, so |
It takes twenty-fourths, so
This leads us to the Property of One.
Property of One
Any number, except zero, divided by itself is one.
Manipulative Mathematics
Example 4.3
Use fraction circles to make wholes using the following pieces:
- ⓐ fourths
- ⓑ fifths
- ⓒ sixths
Solution
Try It 4.5
Use fraction circles to make wholes with the following pieces: thirds.
Try It 4.6
Use fraction circles to make wholes with the following pieces: eighths.
What if we have more fraction pieces than we need for whole? We’ll look at this in the next example.
Example 4.4
Use fraction circles to make wholes using the following pieces:
- ⓐ halves
- ⓑ fifths
- ⓒ thirds
Solution
ⓐ halves make whole with half left over.
ⓑ fifths make whole with fifths left over.
ⓒ thirds make wholes with third left over.
Try It 4.7
Use fraction circles to make wholes with the following pieces: thirds.
Try It 4.8
Use fraction circles to make wholes with the following pieces: halves.
Model Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers
In Example 4.4 (b), you had eight equal fifth pieces. You used five of them to make one whole, and you had three fifths left over. Let us use fraction notation to show what happened. You had eight pieces, each of them one fifth, so altogether you had eight fifths, which we can write as The fraction is one whole, plus three fifths, or which is read as one and three-fifths.
The number is called a mixed number. A mixed number consists of a whole number and a fraction.
Mixed Numbers
A mixed number consists of a whole number and a fraction where It is written as follows.
Fractions such as and are called improper fractions. In an improper fraction, the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator, so its value is greater than or equal to one. When a fraction has a numerator that is smaller than the denominator, it is called a proper fraction, and its value is less than one. Fractions such as and are proper fractions.
Proper and Improper Fractions
The fraction is a proper fraction if and an improper fraction if
Manipulative Mathematics
Example 4.5
Name the improper fraction modeled. Then write the improper fraction as a mixed number.
Solution
Each circle is divided into three pieces, so each piece is of the circle. There are four pieces shaded, so there are four thirds or The figure shows that we also have one whole circle and one third, which is So,
Try It 4.9
Name the improper fraction. Then write it as a mixed number.
Try It 4.10
Name the improper fraction. Then write it as a mixed number.
Example 4.6
Draw a figure to model
Solution
The denominator of the improper fraction is Draw a circle divided into eight pieces and shade all of them. This takes care of eight eighths, but we have eighths. We must shade three of the eight parts of another circle.
So,
Try It 4.11
Draw a figure to model
Try It 4.12
Draw a figure to model
Example 4.7
Use a model to rewrite the improper fraction as a mixed number.
Solution
We start with sixths We know that six sixths makes one whole.
That leaves us with five more sixths, which is
So,
Try It 4.13
Use a model to rewrite the improper fraction as a mixed number:
Try It 4.14
Use a model to rewrite the improper fraction as a mixed number:
Example 4.8
Use a model to rewrite the mixed number as an improper fraction.
Solution
The mixed number means one whole plus four fifths. The denominator is so the whole is Together five fifths and four fifths equals nine fifths.
So,
Try It 4.15
Use a model to rewrite the mixed number as an improper fraction:
Try It 4.16
Use a model to rewrite the mixed number as an improper fraction:
Convert between Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers
In Example 4.7, we converted the improper fraction to the mixed number using fraction circles. We did this by grouping six sixths together to make a whole; then we looked to see how many of the pieces were left. We saw that made one whole group of six sixths plus five more sixths, showing that
The division expression (which can also be written as ) tells us to find how many groups of are in To convert an improper fraction to a mixed number without fraction circles, we divide.
Example 4.9
Convert to a mixed number.
Solution
Divide the denominator into the numerator. | Remember means . |
Identify the quotient, remainder and divisor. | |
Write the mixed number as . | |
So, |
Try It 4.17
Convert the improper fraction to a mixed number:
Try It 4.18
Convert the improper fraction to a mixed number:
How To
Convert an improper fraction to a mixed number.
- Step 1. Divide the denominator into the numerator.
- Step 2. Identify the quotient, remainder, and divisor.
- Step 3. Write the mixed number as quotient .
Example 4.10
Convert the improper fraction to a mixed number.
Solution
Divide the denominator into the numerator. | Remember, means . |
Identify the quotient, remainder, and divisor. | |
Write the mixed number as quotient . | |
So, |
Try It 4.19
Convert the improper fraction to a mixed number:
Try It 4.20
Convert the improper fraction to a mixed number:
In Example 4.8, we changed to an improper fraction by first seeing that the whole is a set of five fifths. So we had five fifths and four more fifths.
Where did the nine come from? There are nine fifths—one whole (five fifths) plus four fifths. Let us use this idea to see how to convert a mixed number to an improper fraction.
Example 4.11
Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction.
Solution
Multiply the whole number by the denominator. | |
The whole number is 4 and the denominator is 3. | |
Simplify. | |
Add the numerator to the product. | |
The numerator of the mixed number is 2. | |
Simplify. | |
Write the final sum over the original denominator. | |
The denominator is 3. |
Try It 4.21
Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction:
Try It 4.22
Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction:
How To
Convert a mixed number to an improper fraction.
- Step 1. Multiply the whole number by the denominator.
- Step 2. Add the numerator to the product found in Step 1.
- Step 3. Write the final sum over the original denominator.
Example 4.12
Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction.
Solution
Multiply the whole number by the denominator. | |
The whole number is 10 and the denominator is 7. | |
Simplify. | |
Add the numerator to the product. | |
The numerator of the mixed number is 2. | |
Simplify. | |
Write the final sum over the original denominator. | |
The denominator is 7. |
Try It 4.23
Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction:
Try It 4.24
Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction:
Model Equivalent Fractions
Let’s think about Andy and Bobby and their favorite food again. If Andy eats of a pizza and Bobby eats of the pizza, have they eaten the same amount of pizza? In other words, does We can use fraction tiles to find out whether Andy and Bobby have eaten equivalent parts of the pizza.
Equivalent Fractions
Equivalent fractions are fractions that have the same value.
Fraction tiles serve as a useful model of equivalent fractions. You may want to use fraction tiles to do the following activity. Or you might make a copy of Figure 4.3 and extend it to include eighths, tenths, and twelfths.
Start with a tile. How many fourths equal one-half? How many of the tiles exactly cover the tile?
Since two tiles cover the tile, we see that is the same as or
How many of the tiles cover the tile?
Since three tiles cover the tile, we see that is the same as
So, The fractions are equivalent fractions.
Manipulative Mathematics
Doing the activity "Equivalent Fractions" will help you develop a better understanding of what it means when two fractions are equivalent.
Example 4.13
Use fraction tiles to find equivalent fractions. Show your result with a figure.
- ⓐ How many eighths equal one-half?
- ⓑ How many tenths equal one-half?
- ⓒ How many twelfths equal one-half?
Solution
ⓐ It takes four tiles to exactly cover the tile, so
ⓑ It takes five tiles to exactly cover the tile, so
ⓒ It takes six tiles to exactly cover the tile, so
Suppose you had tiles marked How many of them would it take to equal Are you thinking ten tiles? If you are, you’re right, because
We have shown that and are all equivalent fractions.
Try It 4.25
Use fraction tiles to find equivalent fractions: How many eighths equal one-fourth?
Try It 4.26
Use fraction tiles to find equivalent fractions: How many twelfths equal one-fourth?
Find Equivalent Fractions
We used fraction tiles to show that there are many fractions equivalent to For example, and are all equivalent to When we lined up the fraction tiles, it took four of the tiles to make the same length as a tile. This showed that See Example 4.13.
We can show this with pizzas, too. Figure 4.4(a) shows a single pizza, cut into two equal pieces with shaded. Figure 4.4(b) shows a second pizza of the same size, cut into eight pieces with shaded.
This is another way to show that is equivalent to
How can we use mathematics to change into How could you take a pizza that is cut into two pieces and cut it into eight pieces? You could cut each of the two larger pieces into four smaller pieces! The whole pizza would then be cut into eight pieces instead of just two. Mathematically, what we’ve described could be written as:
These models lead to the Equivalent Fractions Property, which states that if we multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number, the value of the fraction does not change.
Equivalent Fractions Property
If and are numbers where and then
When working with fractions, it is often necessary to express the same fraction in different forms. To find equivalent forms of a fraction, we can use the Equivalent Fractions Property. For example, consider the fraction one-half.
So, we say that and are equivalent fractions.
Example 4.14
Find three fractions equivalent to
Solution
To find a fraction equivalent to we multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number (but not zero). Let us multiply them by and
So, and are equivalent to
Try It 4.27
Find three fractions equivalent to
Try It 4.28
Find three fractions equivalent to
Example 4.15
Find a fraction with a denominator of that is equivalent to
Solution
To find equivalent fractions, we multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number. In this case, we need to multiply the denominator by a number that will result in
Since we can multiply by to get we can find the equivalent fraction by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by
Try It 4.29
Find a fraction with a denominator of that is equivalent to
Try It 4.30
Find a fraction with a denominator of that is equivalent to
Locate Fractions and Mixed Numbers on the Number Line
Now we are ready to plot fractions on a number line. This will help us visualize fractions and understand their values.
Manipulative Mathematics
Let us locate and on the number line.
We will start with the whole numbers and because they are the easiest to plot.
The proper fractions listed are and We know proper fractions have values less than one, so and are located between the whole numbers and The denominators are both so we need to divide the segment of the number line between and into five equal parts. We can do this by drawing four equally spaced marks on the number line, which we can then label as and
Now plot points at and
The only mixed number to plot is Between what two whole numbers is Remember that a mixed number is a whole number plus a proper fraction, so Since it is greater than but not a whole unit greater, is between and We need to divide the portion of the number line between and into three equal pieces (thirds) and plot at the first mark.
Finally, look at the improper fractions and Locating these points will be easier if you change each of them to a mixed number.
Here is the number line with all the points plotted.
Example 4.16
Locate and label the following on a number line: and
Solution
Start by locating the proper fraction It is between and To do this, divide the distance between and into four equal parts. Then plot
Next, locate the mixed number It is between and on the number line. Divide the number line between and into five equal parts, and then plot one-fifth of the way between and .
Now locate the improper fractions and .
It is easier to plot them if we convert them to mixed numbers first.
Divide the distance between and into thirds.
Next let us plot We write it as a mixed number, . Plot it between and
The number line shows all the numbers located on the number line.
Try It 4.31
Locate and label the following on a number line:
Try It 4.32
Locate and label the following on a number line:
In Introduction to Integers, we defined the opposite of a number. It is the number that is the same distance from zero on the number line but on the opposite side of zero. We saw, for example, that the opposite of is and the opposite of is
Fractions have opposites, too. The opposite of is It is the same distance from on the number line, but on the opposite side of
Thinking of negative fractions as the opposite of positive fractions will help us locate them on the number line. To locate on the number line, first think of where is located. It is an improper fraction, so we first convert it to the mixed number and see that it will be between and on the number line. So its opposite, will be between and on the number line.
Example 4.17
Locate and label the following on the number line: and
Solution
Draw a number line. Mark in the middle and then mark several units to the left and right.
To locate divide the interval between and into four equal parts. Each part represents one-quarter of the distance. So plot at the first mark.
To locate divide the interval between and into four equal parts. Plot at the first mark to the left of
Since is between and divide the interval between and into three equal parts. Plot at the first mark to the right of Then since is the opposite of it is between and Divide the interval between and into three equal parts. Plot at the first mark to the left of
To locate and it may be helpful to rewrite them as the mixed numbers and
Since is between and divide the interval between and into two equal parts. Plot at the mark. Then since is between and divide the interval between and into two equal parts. Plot at the mark.
Try It 4.33
Locate and label each of the given fractions on a number line:
Try It 4.34
Locate and label each of the given fractions on a number line:
Order Fractions and Mixed Numbers
We can use the inequality symbols to order fractions. Remember that means that is to the right of on the number line. As we move from left to right on a number line, the values increase.
Example 4.18
Order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Solution
ⓐ
ⓑ
ⓒ
ⓓ
Try It 4.35
Order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Try It 4.36
Order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
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Section 4.1 Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect
In the following exercises, name the fraction of each figure that is shaded.
In the following exercises, shade parts of circles or squares to model the following fractions.
In the following exercises, use fraction circles to make wholes using the following pieces.
eighths
thirds
fourths
In the following exercises, name the improper fractions. Then write each improper fraction as a mixed number.
In the following exercises, draw fraction circles to model the given fraction.
In the following exercises, rewrite the improper fraction as a mixed number.
In the following exercises, rewrite the mixed number as an improper fraction.
In the following exercises, use fraction tiles or draw a figure to find equivalent fractions.
How many sixths equal one-third?
How many eighths equal three-fourths?
How many fourths equal three-halves?
In the following exercises, find three fractions equivalent to the given fraction. Show your work, using figures or algebra.
In the following exercises, plot the numbers on a number line.
In the following exercises, order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
Everyday Math
Music Measures A choreographed dance is broken into counts. A count has one step in a count, a count has two steps in a count and a count has three steps in a count. How many steps would be in a count? What type of count has four steps in it?
Music Measures Fractions are used often in music. In time, there are four quarter notes in one measure.
- ⓐ How many measures would eight quarter notes make?
- ⓑ The song “Happy Birthday to You” has quarter notes. How many measures are there in “Happy Birthday to You?”
Baking Nina is making five pans of fudge to serve after a music recital. For each pan, she needs cup of walnuts.
- ⓐ How many cups of walnuts does she need for five pans of fudge?
- ⓑ Do you think it is easier to measure this amount when you use an improper fraction or a mixed number? Why?
Writing Exercises
Give an example from your life experience (outside of school) where it was important to understand fractions.
Explain how you locate the improper fraction on a number line on which only the whole numbers from through are marked.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ If most of your checks were:
…confidently. Congratulations! You have achieved the objectives in this section. Reflect on the study skills you used so that you can continue to use them. What did you do to become confident of your ability to do these things? Be specific.
…with some help. This must be addressed quickly because topics you do not master become potholes in your road to success. In math, every topic builds upon previous work. It is important to make sure you have a strong foundation before you move on. Whom can you ask for help? Your fellow classmates and instructor are good resources. Is there a place on campus where math tutors are available? Can your study skills be improved?
…no—I don’t get it! This is a warning sign and you must not ignore it. You should get help right away or you will quickly be overwhelmed. See your instructor as soon as you can to discuss your situation. Together you can come up with a plan to get you the help you need.