Home::
Fun with Fractions
Fun with Fractions
Fun With Fractions!
Fractions are an integral part of daily life, not to be
forgotten after the high school
diploma is handed out. If you decide to split a candy bar between you and
two friends, you will divide the treat into three sections. This is using
fractions. If you are preparing a recipe and need to make only one-half the
normal amount, you will need to adjust each ingredient accordingly. Reducing by
half the ingredient, sugar, which is one-half cup in the usual recipe, you will
change the amount to one-fourth cup, because one-half is equivalent to
two-fourths. These are just a few examples of how people use fractions every
day. A fraction is the term applied to dividing one whole number by
another whole number and is used to show a numbered part of a whole. If a pizza
is divided into 8 equal slices, each of those slices would be numbered one of
eight, or one-eighth. This would be written in either the form of a ratio 1:8,
or as a fraction, â??. The two parts of the fraction are called the numerator
and the denominator. The numerator is the number written on top and the
denominator is the number written below the slash line. The numerator indicates
how many of the divided parts are being represented, while the denominator shows
the total division of those parts. For example, if a pie is cut into 6 slices
and two have already been eaten, the fraction 2/6 represents that two parts of
the whole are gone. In this way, we know that 4/6 of the pie remains. Equivalent fractions are better illustrated with the pizza
example. If there are eight slices and four of them have been eaten, then 4/8 of
the pizza is gone, and 4/8 of the pizza remains. But looking at the pizza in its
pan, you can plainly see 1/2 of it remains. This shows that ½ is equal to 4/8,
because 4 is half of 8. Other equivalent fractions include 2/6=1/3, because 2 is
one of three equal parts of six; 2/10=1/5, because there are five sets of two in
ten. To find out if two fractions are equivalent, we can multiply the numerator
of the first fraction by the denominator of the second fraction. If the product
is equal to multiplying the denominator of the first fraction by the numerator
of the second fraction, we know these two fractions are equivalent. Adding
fractions is a simple process when the denominators are the same. To add 1/6
+ 3/6, simply keep the same denominator and add the numerators to arrive at 4/6.
An answer such as this one, though, needs to be simplified, or reduced to its
lowest equal form. Reducing fractions is similar to equivalent fractions, in that
an equivalent fraction representing 4/6 is really 2/3. The value of the two
fractions is the same (equivalent), but 2/3 is the simplified form. To reduce a
fraction, both the numerator and denominator must be divisible by the same
number. In 4/6, both 4 and 6 are divisible by 2. Subtracting fractions is no different from adding fractions
when they have the same denominators. If they have different denominators, you
must first find the least common multiple of both denominators and convert them.
The other types of fraction problems can include mixed numerals or improper fractions. The following websites
don’t offer fake diplomas, but they
do assist students with improving their fraction skills through animated
problems and in game-like environments:
- Kids
Online Resources – colorful animated series on fractions and operations.
- Visual
Fractions – excellent visual instruction on fractions and a game to help
with the concept.
- Discovery Web
Math – a part of the Discovery Channel network websites, the index of
choices under fractions include: reduce, add, subtract, multiply, divide, and
convert. A fraction calculator categorizes the type of problem and teaches how
to work it, step-by-step.
- FunBrain – fraction games that teach with customized levels
from easy to “super brain.”
- Rice
University Math – has a unique series of lessons on fractions that are
easily understood by early grade levels. Using pattern blocks to begin, the
concepts of addition and subtraction are explained. Further navigation
includes other shapes, drawing fun fractions, and designer fractions.
- Fun With Fractions – a website presented by the National
Council of Teachers for Mathematics (NCTM), this is a comprehensive set of
lesson plans using various medium to learn about fractions.
- King’s Online Math Activities – is a comprehensive list of
online math games and teaching sites. The selection under fractions is
thorough, up-to-date, and offers visual enhancement in understanding through
Java applications, animated lessons, and games.
- Johnny’s Math Page – is an eye-catching, colorful workbook
area with links to several sites that collectively cover all about fractions
and involve interactive problem solving.
- Fun With Fraction Pages – offers several levels of
interactive learning from Enchanted Forest, an educational website for kids.
- Funschool’s Action Fraction Game – car racing, video game
appeal, with interactive learning about fractions, how to add and subtract
different denominators.
- Vectorkids Fractions – is an interactive sight with learning
games on every facet of fractions.
- Classroom Fractions – has an abundance of games and
interactive learning activities teaching every level of fractions.
- U.S. Mint for Kids – has an interactive learning activity
that teaches fractions with money and includes history lessons at the same
time.
- Fraction Worksheets & Games – this site has interactive
online lessons and games and support materials include printable worksheets on
fractions.
- Gamequarium – offers a fraction tutorial and several online
games that teach.
#59
Our Most Popular Pages