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Problem Solving

How do you use what you have learned to problem solve?

Goal:

Goal:

fraction fox

Practice!

Goal: Apply what you have learned about comparing and ordering fractions to solve a word problem.

Can you solve a problem about comparing fractions? You will need a piece of lined paper. Remember the problem-solving steps to find the answer. Click the tabs to see how!

The fraction superheroes want pieces of cake. They can have \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) of the chocolate cake or \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) of the vanilla cake. Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

Word Problem Solving Steps

  1. Read the problem.
  2. Look for important information.
  3. Compare two fractions.
  4. Choose a way to solve.
  5. Solve and label your answer.

Read the Problem

The fraction superheroes want pieces of cake. They can have \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) of the chocolate cake or \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) of the vanilla cake. Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

The first step is to read. Write down the problem. Then read the problem again! It is helpful to read the problem as many times as you need to in order to see all of the important information!

Find the Important Information

The fraction superheroes want pieces of cake. They can have \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) of the chocolate cake or \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) of the vanilla cake. Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

Now you need to look for the important information. Highlight any important numbers, and circle helpful key words. It also helps to underline the question. Click the Show Me button to see!


The fraction superheroes want pieces of cake. They can have \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) of the chocolate cake or \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) of the vanilla cake. Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

\({ \frac{4}{8} }\) and \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) are the important numbers. The word “or” tells you that you are comparing the amount of each cake. The word “more” tells you that you want to find out which fraction gives the superheroes the larger portion of cake. The question is the last sentence. It asks which flavor will give the superheroes more cake.

Compare Two Fractions

The fraction superheroes want pieces of cake. They can have \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) of the chocolate cake or \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) of the vanilla cake. Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

\({ \frac{4}{8} }\) and \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) are the important numbers. The word problem wants you to compare the two fractions to find out which is greater. Write the two fractions below the word problem on your paper with a circle between them. Click the Show Me button to check your work!


description follows

\({ \frac{4}{8} \text{blank} \frac{4}{7} }\)

Choose a Way to Solve

The fraction superheroes want pieces of cake. They can have \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) of the chocolate cake or \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) of the vanilla cake. Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

description follows

\({ \frac{4}{8} \text{blank} \frac{4}{7} }\)

Top number line from 0 to 1 with 8 spaces between. Number line is labeled from \({ \frac{0}{8} }\) to \({ \frac{8}{8} }\).

Bottom number line from 0 to 1 with 7 spaces between. Number line is labeled from \({ \frac{0}{7} }\) to \({ \frac{7}{7} }\).

You are ready to compare \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) and \({ \frac{4}{7} }\). You can use two number lines or the denominators because the numerator is the same. Choose one method, and draw the correct symbol in the circle between the two fractions. Which fraction is greater? Click the Show Me button to check your work!


description follows

\({ \frac{4}{8} \lt \frac{4}{7} }\)

Top number line from 0 to 1 with 8 spaces between. Number line is labeled from \({ \frac{0}{8} }\) to \({ \frac{8}{8} }\). Dot on \({ \frac{4}{8} }\).

Bottom number line from 0 to 1 with 7 spaces between. Number line is labeled from \({ \frac{0}{7} }\) to \({ \frac{7}{7} }\). Dot on \({ \frac{4}{7} }\).

The brown dot for \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) is closer to 0 than the yellow dot for \({ \frac{4}{7} }\). 8 is greater than 7 so \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) is less than \({ \frac{4}{7} }\)!

Solve and Label Your Answer

The fraction superheroes want pieces of cake. They can have \({ \frac{4}{8} }\) of the chocolate cake or \({ \frac{4}{7} }\) of the vanilla cake. Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

description follows

\({ \frac{4}{8} \lt \frac{4}{7} }\)

Top number line from 0 to 1 with 8 spaces between. Number line is labeled from \({ \frac{0}{8} }\) to \({ \frac{8}{8} }\). Dot on \({ \frac{4}{8} }\).

Bottom number line from 0 to 1 with 7 spaces between. Number line is labeled from \({ \frac{0}{7} }\) to \({ \frac{7}{7} }\). Dot on \({ \frac{4}{7} }\).

\({ \frac{4}{8} }\) is less than \({ \frac{4}{7} }\). Now you can tell which choice will give the superheroes more cake. Find out which flavor of cake has the greater fraction. Then answer the question by writing the correct flavor underneath your work.

Question:

Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

The vanilla will give the superheroes more cake.


Now use the steps to try this out on your own!

Read and Solve

Read the word problem below. Use the number line or the denominators to compare the fractions. Choose the sentence that matches your work.

The fraction superheroes want pieces of cake. They can have \({ \frac{4}{4} }\) of the banana cake or \({ \frac{4}{5} }\) of the strawberry cake. Which flavor will give the superheroes more cake?

Description follows

Top number line from 0 to 1 with 4 spaces between. Number line is labeled from \({ \frac{0}{4} }\) to \({ \frac{4}{4} }\).

Bottom number line from 0 to 1 with 5 spaces between. Number line is labeled from \({ \frac{0}{5} }\) to \({ \frac{5}{5} }\).

The banana will give them more cake.
The strawberry will give them more cake.
Both flavors will give them the same amount of cake.

You got # out of # correct. Click the Retry button for another attempt.

You got a perfect score. Great job!