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8.11 Whole numbers as fractions

Lesson

Are you ready?

Remembering equivalent fractions will help you solve problems in this lesson. Let's give this problem a try.

Fill in the blank to find an equivalent fraction to $\frac{2}{3}$23:

  1. $\frac{2}{3}=\frac{\editable{}}{6}$23=6

Learn

We can turn whole numbers into fractions by letting the whole number be the numerator, or number on top, and putting $1$1 as the denominator, or number on bottom. For example, $4=\frac{4}{1}$4=41.

We can do this because fractions represent a number of pieces of a whole. The numerator (top number) tells us how many pieces there are, and the denominator (bottom number) tells us the size of the pieces. When the denominator is $1$1, these pieces are whole units.

We can also represent a whole number with a fraction that has a different denominator, or number on bottom. We can do this by letting the denominator be $1$1, then multiplying the top and bottom of the fraction by the same number. For example, $3=\frac{3}{1}=\frac{3\times2}{1\times2}=\frac{6}{2}$3=31=3×21×2=62.

Apply

Question 1

Rewrite $\frac{9}{1}$91 as a whole number.

Remember!

We can turn a whole number into a fraction by letting the denominator, or number on bottom, be $1$1.

Outcomes

3.NF.3

Explain equivalence of fractions in special cases, and compare fractions by reasoning about their size.

3.NF.3.c

Express whole numbers as fractions, and recognize fractions that are equivalent to whole numbers. Examples: express 3 in the form 3 = 3/1; recognize that 6/1 = 6; locate 4/4 and 1 at the same point of a number line diagram.

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