Solve problems involving comparing unit fractions

I can solve problems involving comparing unit fractions.

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Year 3

Solve problems involving comparing unit fractions

I can solve problems involving comparing unit fractions.

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Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

When comparing unit fractions, the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction.
When comparing unit fractions, the smaller the denominator, the larger the fraction.
Equal parts may not look the same.

Common misconception

Children may still fall into the habit of considering the greater denominator to be a greater fraction.

Continue to revisit a fraction wall where possible and use real life contexts and images. Ensure that the statement, 'When the whole is equal, the greater the denominator, the smaller the fraction.' is visible and constantly refer to it.

Keywords

Whole - The whole is all of a group or number.
Part - A part is a section of the whole.
Denominator - A denominator is the bottom number in a fraction. It shows how many parts a whole has been divided into.
Unit fraction - A unit fraction is a fraction where the numerator is 1

Some children compare by process without conceptualising the size of fractions. Challenge them to draw representations of fractions instead of notation for their futoshiki answers. Children could create their own futoshiki by arranging a grid of fractions first and then placing 3 inequalities in.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).