Mixed Numbers And Improper Fractions English Language Essay

A Fraction has two parts that tell us what it denotes. The first part is the top number or the numerator. The numerator is the number of pieces you have. The second part of a fraction is the bottom number called the denominator (THINK: “Down”ominator). The denominator is the number of pieces the whole thing is divided into.

Example: 3/4 means:

We have 3 pieces of something.

The whole thing is divided into 4 pieces.

Each piece is a quarter (1/4) of the whole thing.

There are three types of fraction:

[Picture may need to be redone. Taken from http://www.mathsisfun.com/improper-fractions.html]

We define the three types of fractions like this:

Proper Fractions [glossary term; a fraction where the top number is smaller than the bottom number. http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/search?q=define+proper+fraction&FORM=DTPDIA]

A proper fraction is a fraction with the numerator smaller than the denominator. In other words, the numerator is less than the denominator.

Examples: 1/3, 3/4, 2/7 1/2 etc.

This is the type of fraction we typically think of when we are sharing or splitting something up.

Improper Fractions [glossary term; a fraction where the top number is bigger than the top number. http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/search?q=define+improper+fraction&FORM=DTPDIA]

An improper fraction is a fraction that has a numerator larger than or equal to its denominator. In other words, the numerator is bigger than or the same size as the denominator. We can remember an improper fraction by thinking it’s “top-heavy”.

In the examples below, notice how the top number is bigger than the bottom number? That makes it an Improper Fraction.

Examples: 4/3, 11/4, 3/2, 7/4, 16/15, 99/5

The term “IMPROPER” suggests that you shouldn’t use it or that it’s incorrect in some way, but there is nothing wrong about Improper Fractions. As you move on to higher levels of mathematics, you will find improper fractions are very friendly to use.

We know that when the numerator is less than the denominator it is called a proper fraction. When the numerator is greater than the denominator it is called an improper fraction. What do we call the fraction when the numerator is equal to the denominator as in the example 4/4 ?

[Picture may need to be redone. Taken from http://www.mathsisfun.com/improper-fractions.html]

In this instance where the numerator is the same as the denominator, the number of pieces you have are the same as the number of pieces the whole is divided into. We define this as 1, just as a pizza is a WHOLE pizza when it has all of its slices.

=

2 3/8

A mixed number consists of an integer followed by a proper fraction.

Mixed fractions are typically used in everyday/normal conversation.

Remember that fractions are used to count a part of something or a group.

¼ of this 1 whole square is red.

Mixed numbers are used when you need to count whole things AND parts of things at the same time.

How many of the following squares are red?

There are 5 whole squares and part of another square.

We write it like this 5 1/4. When we read it or say it out loud we would day, “five and one fourth.”

This is similar to writing 5 + ¼ , but, we don’t write the “+” in written form. In word form addition is the same as the word AND.

[BEGIN YOUR TURN]

This would be a great spot for an interactive video like this onehttp://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/MixedNumbers/default.htm

[END YOUR TURN]

[BEGIN YOUR TURN]

This would be a great spot for an interactive game to play with mixed numbers like this one http://www.mrnussbaum.com/sal/index.html This is very fun stuff!

[END YOUR TURN]

[BEGIN REVIEW]

1. A mixed number is _________________ a number made up of a whole number and a fraction.

*Always

Sometimes

Never

Feed back: By definition

2. An improper fraction should never be used as an answer to a math problem.

True

*False

Feed back: Improper fractions will make solving math problems easier as you get into high levels of mathematics.

*

Feedback: There are 5 full circles denoting 5 wholes and 1/2 of another.

5. What term would you use to describe the of the nail below to your friend?

proper fraction

improper fraction

*mixed number fraction

Feed back: Mixed numbers are used when you need to count whole things AND parts of things at the same time.

[END TEST]

CONCLUSION:

A Fraction has two parts that tell us what it denotes.

The first part is the top number or the numerator.

The numerator is the number of pieces you have.

The second part of a fraction is the bottom number called the denominator (THINK: “Down”ominator).

The denominator is the number of pieces the whole thing is divided into.

There are three types of fraction:

Proper Fractions

A proper fraction is a fraction with the numerator smaller than the denominator.

Improper Fractions

An improper fraction is a fraction that has a numerator larger than or equal to its denominator.

We can remember an improper fraction by thinking it’s “top-heavy”.

. As you move on to higher levels of mathematics, you will find improper fractions are very friendly to use.

Mixed Fractions or Mixed Numbers

A whole number and proper fraction together is a Mixed Fraction or also known as a Mixed Number

Mixed fractions are typically used in everyday/normal conversation.

Mixed numbers are used when you need to count whole things AND parts of things at the same time.

We write it like this 5 ¼

When we read it or say it out loud we would day, “five and one fourth.”

.When is a fraction a WHOLE?

when the numerator is equal to the denominator as in the example 4/4 ?

Whenever you see the same number in the numerator as the denominator, remember that fraction equals 1.

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