M3.3.3 For the adult
Multiplying and dividing fractions
What is two thirds of three quarters of a flat bread?
What this chapter teaches
Multiplying fractions finds a part of a part, and the answer is smaller. Dividing by a fraction less than 1 counts how many of it fit, so the answer is bigger. Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- Can you draw a square to show what 2/3 of 3/4 means?
- How many quarters are in 3, and how can you tell without counting one by one?
- Why is the answer to 3 divided by 1/2 bigger than 3?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Find 2/3 of 3/4 and write it as 2/3 × 3/4
- Find how many quarters are in 3, and write 3 ÷ 1/4
- Divide one fraction by another, like 3/4 ÷ 1/8
What they copy into their notebook
Of means times. Multiply the tops and the bottoms, then simplify. To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal.