Topics
8. Fractions
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AustraliaNSW
Stage 2

8.01 Unit fractions

Lesson
Practice
Lesson

Are you ready?

You may have already seen the fraction one half in previous year levels. Can you answer this question?

Examples

Example 1

Answer the following questions.

a

Complete the statement:

A half is one whole which has been divided into ⬚ equal parts.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Use the table below to help:

Name of each part\text{Half}\text{Third}\text{Fourth}\text{Sixth}\text{Eight}
Number of equal parts23468
Apply the idea

A half is one whole which has been divided into 2 equal parts.

b

Which of the following represents \dfrac{1}{2} on a circle?

A
A circle divided into 4 equal parts. One part is shaded.
B
A circle divided into 2 equal parts. One part is shaded.
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

The bottom number (denominator) tells us the number of equal parts the shape has been broken into. The top number (numerator) tells us the number of parts we have shaded.

Apply the idea

The fraction \dfrac{1}{2} is asking for 1 out of 2 parts to be shaded. So the correct answer is Option B.

Idea summary

A half, \dfrac{1}{2}, is one whole which has been divided into 2 equal parts.

Unit fractions

This video will show us about unit fractions.

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Examples

Example 2

What fraction is shown here?

A rectangle divided into 7 equal parts. One part is shaded.
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Write the fraction as: \, \dfrac{\text{Number of parts shaded}}{\text{Total number of parts}}

Apply the idea

There is 1 shaded part out of a total 7 parts.

\text{Fraction shaded}=\dfrac{1}{7}

Idea summary

The numerator in a unit fraction is always 1. It is written in the form:

\dfrac{1}{\text{Total number of parts}}

Outcomes

MA2-7NA

represents, models and compares commonly used fractions and decimals

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