Simplifying Improper Fractions
This is the second lesson that will lead to adding and subtracting various fractions. In this lesson, students will learn how to simplify (or reduce) improper fractions and how to change the improper fractions into mixed fractions. It is absolutely essential that students understand that an improper fraction is a fraction where the biggest number is on top (or is the numerator). A mixed fraction is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. I tell students that the three steps are simplify it, divide it, bing bang boom. The video lesson for simplifying improper fractions is provided below. Click the play button to view the video. A link to practice problems is given below the video, and word problems involving improper fractions are provided at the bottom of this page.
Quick "On My First Try" Method
Division and Remainders Method
Demonstration by: Lilly and Blaine
Practice Problems
| simplifyingimproper.pdf |
Sample Word Problems:
1. Mario found 12 pieces to a game that only needs 9 to play. How many whole games can Mario make and what fraction of another game will he have left over?
2. Garrett has 21 dimes and needs to know how many dollars he has. What fraction of a dollar is he left with?
3. Hailey needed 6 stickers to make one complete page in her scrapbook. She found 35 stickers. How many whole scrapbook pages can she make? What fraction of her stickers does she have left over?
1. Mario found 12 pieces to a game that only needs 9 to play. How many whole games can Mario make and what fraction of another game will he have left over?
2. Garrett has 21 dimes and needs to know how many dollars he has. What fraction of a dollar is he left with?
3. Hailey needed 6 stickers to make one complete page in her scrapbook. She found 35 stickers. How many whole scrapbook pages can she make? What fraction of her stickers does she have left over?
