Problem Solving

$fraction fox$

Practice!

Goal: Apply what you have learned about finding equivalent fractions to solve a word problem.

Let’s solve a fraction word problem using number lines!

Zoe is flying two kites. One kite is ${ \frac{3}{6} }$ shaded, and the other is ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ shaded. Are the fractions for the shaded parts equivalent? Use number lines to prove your answer.

Word Problem Solving Steps

Read the problem.
Look for important information.
Draw the number lines.
Decide how to solve.
Solve and write your answer.

Read the problem.

What is this word problem telling you? Read through it a few times, and then write it on a piece of paper.

Piece of paper that reads, "Zoe is flying two kites. One kit is ${ \frac{3}{6} }$ shaded, and the other is ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ shaded. Are the fractions for the shaded parts equivalent? Use number lines to prove your answer."

Look for important information.

Underline or circle the important information in the word problem. Then, check your thinking by clicking the Show Me button.

${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ are circled. The sentence, "Are the fractions for the shaded parts equivalent? Use number lines to prove your answer." is underlined.

Did you circle or underline the same information? Here is what we need to know:

Zoe is flying kites that are ${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ shaded.
We need to decide if the fractions for the shaded parts are equivalent using number lines.

Draw the number lines.

Draw two empty number lines, and label ends with 0 and 1. Do your best to line up the number lines so they look like this:

${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ are circled. The sentence, "Are the fractions for the shaded parts equivalent? Use number lines to prove your answer." is underlined.

Two blank number lines from 0 to 1.

Draw the number lines.

Draw lines on each of the number lines. The first number line will need 6 spaces because ${ \frac{3}{6} }$ has a denominator of 6. The second number line will need only 2 spaces because ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ has a denominator of 2.

${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ are circled. The sentence, "Are the fractions for the shaded parts equivalent? Use number lines to prove your answer." is underlined.

Two number lines from 0 to 1. The top number line has 7 markers.

Decide how to solve.

Label the fractions on both number lines. Then record ${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ by drawing a dot above both fractions.

${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ are circled. The sentence, "Are the fractions for the shaded parts equivalent? Use number lines to prove your answer." is underlined.

Two number lines from 0 to 1. The top number line has 7 markers and the marks are labeled from ${ \frac{0}{6} }$ to ({ \frac{6}{6} }\). Dot above ({ \frac{3}{6} }\). The bottom number line has 3 markers and the marks are labeled from ${ \frac{0}{2} }$ to ${ \frac{2}{2} }$ . Dot above ${ \frac{1}{2} }$

Question:

How will you decide if ${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ are equivalent?

Draw a line to see if their dots line up!

Solve and write your answer.

Great job! Now it is time to answer the question. Are ${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ equivalent fractions? Write your answer on the paper in complete sentences. Then, check your thinking on the next slide.

${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ are circled. The sentence, "Are the fractions for the shaded parts equivalent? Use number lines to prove your answer." is underlined.

A line from the top number line ${ \frac{3}{6} }$ down to the bottom number line ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ .

Solve and write your answer.

You did it! Take time to make sure you answered in complete sentences.

${ \frac{3}{6} }$ and ${ \frac{1}{2} }$ are circled. The sentence, "Are the fractions for the shaded parts equivalent? Use number lines to prove your answer." is underlined.