In Maths, a fraction is used to represent the portion/part of the whole thing. It represents the equal parts of the whole. A fraction has two parts, namely numerator, and denominator. The number on the top is called the numerator, and the number on the bottom is called the denominator.
The numerator defines the number of equal parts taken, whereas the denominator defines the total number of equal parts in a whole.
Unfortunately, students are often applying whole number practices to fractions and few teachers are correcting this. Further, most teachers are teaching more about the procedures rather than the actual meaning of fractions, or “fraction sense.” To help “correct” these and break these areas of confusion, Superprof bring to you the best ways for students to master fractions.
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What is a Fraction?
Fractions represent the parts of a whole or collection of objects. A fraction has two parts. The number on the top of the line is called the numerator. It tells how many equal parts of the whole or collection are taken. The number below the line is called the denominator. It shows the total number of equal parts the whole is divided into or the total number of the same objects in a collection.
Types of Fractions
There are different types of fractions. They are:
- Unit Fraction – In a fraction, the numerator with 1 is called a unit fraction. For example, ½, ¼
- Proper Fraction – If a numerator value is less than the denominator value, it is called a proper fraction. Example: 7/9, 8/10
- Improper Fraction – If a numerator value is greater than the denominator value, then it is called an improper fraction. Example: 6/5, 11/10
- Mixed Fraction – If a fraction consists of a whole number with a proper fraction, it is called a mixed fraction. Example 5 ¾, 10 ½
- Like Fractions – The fractions with the same denominator are called like fractions. Example: 4/2, 7/2, 9/2
- Unlike Fractions – The fractions with different denominators are called, unlike fractions. Example: 5/2, 4/6, 9/4
- Equivalent Fractions – If two fractions result in the same value, after simplification, then they are equivalent to each other. Example: ⅔ and 4/6 are equivalent fractions, since 4/6 = (2×2)/(2×3) = 2/3
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Best Ways for Learning Fractions
Fractions are a common way of describing parts of a whole. They're commonly used for English weights and measures, especially for small measurements in cooking and carpentry. If you want to be proficient in basic math, and if you want to prepare for pre-algebra, you need to know the ins and outs of fractions.
- Remember that the numerator of a fraction is the top number and the denominator is the bottom number.
- The reciprocal of a fraction is that fraction turned upside-down.
- To increase the terms of a fraction, multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number.
- To reduce the terms of a fraction to the lowest terms, divide both the numerator and denominator by the greatest possible number.
- To simplify complex fractions, first, simplify the numerator and denominator to two separate fractions; then change the problem to division.
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Adding Fractions without Using a Least Common Multiple
- Multiply the denominators in order to calculate the denominators
- Multiply the numerator of the first fraction with the denominator of the second fraction, and then multiply the numerator of the second fraction with the denominator of the first fraction. Some people call this the criss-cross method.
- Add these two solutions together to calculate the numerator.
Adding Fractions without Using a GCM
This method is a mixture of adding fractions the traditional method, and the criss-cross method.
- Multiply the denominators together. This gives you a common denominator.
- Divide the common denominator by the original denominators to determine your multiplier.
- Multiply the numerator by the factor from step 2.
- Calculate your numerator by adding the numerators from step 3. Put your common denominator underneath.
- Simplify.
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Ladder Method to find the LCM and GCF
- Divide each number by the same prime number and draw a line around the two new numbers.
- Repeat step 1 until the numbers are no longer divisible by the same prime number.
- Circle the left column of prime numbers. Multiply the numbers you circle to find your GCF
- Draw an L around the prime numbers and the remaining numbers. Multiply all the numbers in the L for your LCM.
Best Maths Apps to Master Fractions in 2022
4 Dice
4 Dice Fraction Games is a math game designed to teach fractions to middle and upper elementary school students. The app teaches by first giving the answer and then working backward to teach students the methods in a fun and interactive way. Teachers receive instant email feedback about their students’ progress.
Fog Stone Isle
This website and app use brain-based research techniques to teach fractions to kids. Students try their hands at engaging video games with guidance from a character named Cyril. By keeping the fictional world of the Griffins safe, kids learn crucial concepts about fractions.
Fruity Fractions
Fruity Fractions is a game used to teach basic fraction concepts to kids from first through third grade. The game features 50 puzzle-solving levels with increasing difficulty. At each stage of the game, specially tailored instructions are given to teach simple and complex fraction concepts. The app is simple to use and easy to navigate.
Chicken Coop Fractions Game
Children learn to convert fractions to decimals through the questions thrown at them in this game. The nest moves to the position you predict; then, the math genius hens fire their eggs toward the correct answer. If your answer is close enough to the correct answer, the egg is caught in the nest. Enhance your child’s fraction estimation abilities by taking advantage of this educational game.
Conceptua Fractions Online Courses
An online maths learning platform that takes teaching and learning of mathematics to a whole different level. The curriculum includes tutor guides for topics such as division, fractions, mathematical investigations, and much more. Students learn by what they see and experience.
Fractions by Brainingcamp
Fractions by Brainingcamp is suitable for kids between the age of 9 and 14. It provides all the materials needed for teaching and learning by using practice questions, challenging games, lesson narration, and manipulation of virtual elements. It covers all aspects of fractions, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equivalents, and common denominators.
Fractions Smart Pirates
This app is a great way for students to work with fractions if they have had problems learning fractions. The app teaches fractions in easy-to-understand and fun ways by offering topics such as the recognition of fractions, equivalent fractions, and comparison. This is an app for parents and teachers who want to help students learn fractions as quickly as possible.
Sums Stacker
Sums Stacker provides lots of addition and subtraction practice within a mathematical game setting using different number representations. Younger students can use fingers or dice as number representations because they are easily countable. To play, numbers are piled into three stacks with each stack having a target number. Students move numbers from stack to stack until each stack equals the associated target number. Sums Stacker comes with three modes (solve, infinity, and race) and two difficulty levels (easy and hard).
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Amplify Fractions
This is an intuitive website that offers comprehensive fraction lessons for kids. It is split into four parts: introduction to fractions, equivalence, and comparison, adding and subtracting, and multiplying and dividing. It uses a storytelling approach to teach and engage students before the practice questions that come after each lesson. Teachers create custom classrooms that students join using codes. They can also monitor progress and generate reports.
Lumio
Lumio is a group of games that teach math topics such as geometry, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, place value, and fractions to children in kindergarten through third grade. Lumio allows teachers to create adult and children profiles that save progress automatically. New content is added bi-weekly. Lumio is available for a short free trial period, after which users pay to continue using the app.
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Fraction Mash
Fraction Mash is a math-oriented spinoff of Face-Mash-Up. Players divide pictures into two equal parts and keep the half they want. The saved halves are used to create colorful collages and mashups. The saved halves can also be used in addition exercises in which children change denominators and numerators to see how that affects the image.
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