Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions

Topics for Today:

Fractions that have numerators that are as big as or larger than their denominators are called improper fractions.  We can covert between mixed numbers and improper fractions by using multiplication and division.  

Vocabulary:

improper fraction, mixed number

Sections Covered in Textbook:

3-8: Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions (pages 164-167)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is a mixed number?

2) What is an improper fraction?

3) How do you turn a mixed number into an improper fraction?

4) How do you turn an improper fraction into a mixed number?

Comparing and Ordering Fractions

Topics for Today:

When comparing any two numbers, we must have them in a format that can be compared.  For fractions this means that we must have a common denominator to determine which part of a whole is greater than the other.

We discussed symbols of comparison today to include

• greater than (>)
• less than (<)
• equal to (=)
• not equal to (≠)

Vocabulary:

least common denominator, LCD

Sections Covered in Textbook:

3-6: Comparing and Ordering Fractions (pages 156-159)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) How do you put fractions in order using an LCD?

2) How do you compare fractions by finding a common denominator?

Simplifying Fractions

Topics for Today:

Today we discussed equivalent fractions. Equivalent fractions are different names for the same amount. We also used prime factorization to simplify fractions. Fractions that are in simplest form do not have any common factors in the numerator and denominator except for the number 1.

Vocabulary:

equivalent fractions, simplest form

Sections Covered in Textbook:

3-5: Simplifying Fractions (pages 151-155)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Simplifying Fractions (Math Antics)

2) How do you reduce a fraction?