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8.03 Fraction bars 1

Lesson

Are you ready?

Can you divide 8 into 2 equal groups? Can you share 24 equally between 3 groups? Practice this concept below.

Examples

Example 1

We need to equally share these apples between 4 people. How many does each person get?

An array of apples with 3 columns and 4 rows.
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Group the apples into 4 groups and count how many are in each group.

Apply the idea
An array of apples with 3 columns and 4 rows. Each row of 3 apples are inside a rectangle.

Here we have 4 groups with 3 apples in each group. So each person will get 3 apples.

Idea summary

A picture or an array can help us share or divide an amount between groups.

Fraction bars

Fractions are closely related to division. For example, sharing equally between two groups is also called halving. One half can be written as \dfrac{1}{2}. Let's learn more about halves, thirds, fourths and fifths.

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Examples

Example 2

Here is a fraction bar.

A fraction bar divided into 5 equal parts

Complete the statements below.

a

This fraction bar has equal parts.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Count the number of smaller rectangles that make up the whole bar.

Apply the idea

There are 5 rectangles inside the fraction bar.

This fraction bar has 5 equal parts.

b

Each part is \dfrac{⬚}{⬚} of the whole.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Each part looks like this:

A fraction bar divided into 5 equal parts. One part is shaded.

We can write this fraction as:

A fraction with parts explained. Ask your teacher for more information.
Apply the idea

Each part is \dfrac{1}{5} of the whole.

Idea summary

When writing fractions:

  • The number of equal parts the whole is divided into is the denominator (bottom number).

  • The numerator (top number) is how many parts that are shaded, and so shows the value of the fraction.

Outcomes

MA2-7NA

represents, models and compares commonly used fractions and decimals

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