Guided Practice: Fractions
Practice makes perfect! Work through these problems with step-by-step hints to build your fraction skills.
Part 1: Identifying Fractions from Pictures
📊 Remember:
Count the total parts (denominator) and the shaded parts (numerator).
Practice Problems
Problem 1: What fraction is shaded?
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Count ALL the parts: There are 4 equal parts.
- Count the SHADED parts: 3 parts are blue.
- Write: shaded/total = 3/4
Problem 2: What fraction is shaded?
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Count ALL the parts: There are 6 equal parts.
- Count the SHADED parts: Only 1 part is blue.
- Write: shaded/total = 1/6
Problem 3: What fraction is shaded?
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Count ALL the parts: There are 8 equal parts.
- Count the SHADED parts: 5 parts are blue.
- Write: shaded/total = 5/8
Part 2: Numerator and Denominator
🔢 Remember:
Numerator = top number (how many parts you have)
Denominator = bottom number (total equal parts)
Practice Problems
Problem 4: In the fraction 4/7, what is the numerator?
Step-by-Step Hint:
The numerator is always the TOP number. Look at what's above the line.
Problem 5: In the fraction 2/9, what is the denominator?
Step-by-Step Hint:
The denominator is always the BOTTOM number. Remember: Denominator is DOWN!
Problem 6: Which fraction has 5 as the numerator?
Step-by-Step Hint:
Look for the fraction with 5 on TOP (above the line).
Part 3: Comparing Fractions
<> Remember:
Same denominator: Compare numerators - bigger numerator = bigger fraction
Same numerator: Compare denominators - smaller denominator = bigger fraction
Practice Problems
Problem 7: Compare the fractions. Choose the correct symbol.
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Check denominators: Both are 5 (same!)
- Compare numerators: 2 vs 4
- 2 is less than 4, so 2/5 is less than 4/5
Problem 8: Compare the fractions. Choose the correct symbol.
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Check numerators: Both are 1 (same!)
- Compare denominators: 3 vs 6
- 3 is smaller, so 1/3 has BIGGER pieces
- 1/3 is greater than 1/6
Problem 9: Compare the fractions. Choose the correct symbol.
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Check denominators: Both are 8 (same!)
- Compare numerators: 6 vs 3
- 6 is greater than 3, so 6/8 is greater than 3/8
Part 4: Writing Fractions from Words
📝 Remember:
Listen for two numbers: the number of parts you have (numerator) and the total parts (denominator).
Practice Problems
Problem 10: A pizza has 8 slices. Maria ate 3 slices. What fraction did Maria eat?
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Total slices (denominator): 8
- Slices Maria ate (numerator): 3
- Fraction = parts eaten / total parts = 3/8
Problem 11: A candy bar is divided into 6 equal pieces. Tom ate 4 pieces. What fraction did Tom eat?
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Total pieces (denominator): 6
- Pieces Tom ate (numerator): 4
- Fraction = pieces eaten / total pieces = 4/6
Problem 12: There are 10 students in a group. 7 students have brown eyes. What fraction of students have brown eyes?
Step-by-Step Hint:
- Total students (denominator): 10
- Students with brown eyes (numerator): 7
- Fraction = brown-eyed / total = 7/10
Great Work!
- Identifying fractions from pictures
- Finding numerators and denominators
- Comparing fractions with the same numerator or denominator
- Writing fractions from word problems
Pictures
Count shaded and total parts.
Parts
Numerator on top, denominator on bottom.
Compare
Same parts? Compare the other number!
Words
Find "how many" and "out of how many."
Next Steps
- Try the Word Problems lesson for more real-life fraction practice
- Review Common Mistakes to avoid fraction errors
- Take the Unit Quiz when you feel confident