Fractions
Every lesson explains the concept, works through examples, and gives you practice problems with full solutions. Work through them in order, or jump to the topic you need.
15 lessons
- What Is a Fraction? Equal Parts of a WholeWhat the top and bottom numbers mean, why the parts must be equal, how a fraction is built from copies of a unit fraction, and when a fraction equals a whole number.
- Equivalent Fractions: Same Amount, Different NumbersWhat equivalent fractions are, how to find them by multiplying or dividing top and bottom by the same number, and how to check two fractions are equal.
- Comparing Fractions: Which One Is Bigger?Four ways to compare fractions: same bottom number, same top number, a common denominator, and cross multiplying. With bar models and worked examples.
- Fractions on a Number Line: Plotting and Reading ThemHow to place a fraction on a number line by splitting each whole into equal parts, how to read one off, and why the number line makes fractions easier to order.
- Fraction Word Problems with Bar ModelsHow to draw a bar model for a fraction word problem, add and subtract fractions that share a denominator, and turn repeated servings into a multiplication.
- Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions: Converting Both WaysHow to change an improper fraction into a mixed number by dividing, how to change it back by multiplying, and when each form is the useful one.
- Simplifying Fractions: Reducing to Lowest TermsHow to simplify a fraction by dividing top and bottom by a common factor, how to use the GCF to do it in one step, and how to know when you are done.
- Multiplying Fractions: Top Times Top, Bottom Times BottomHow to multiply fractions and mixed numbers, why the rule works using an area model, why the product can be smaller than what you started with, and how to cancel first.
- Tenths and Hundredths: Adding Fractions with Denominators 10 and 100Why every tenth is ten hundredths, how to rewrite a fraction with denominator 10 as one with denominator 100, and why that rewrite is what lets the two be added.
- Converting Fractions to Decimals and BackTwo ways to turn a fraction into a decimal, how to tell in advance whether it will terminate or repeat, and how to convert a decimal back into a fraction.
- Dividing Fractions: Keep, Change, Flip — and WhyHow to divide fractions by multiplying by the reciprocal, why flipping the second fraction works, and how to divide with whole numbers and mixed numbers.
- Least Common Denominator: Finding a Shared Bottom NumberHow to find the least common denominator of two fractions using multiples, prime factors, or the multiply-the-bottoms shortcut, and why you need one.
- Adding Fractions With Unlike DenominatorsHow to add fractions with different bottom numbers: find a common denominator, rewrite both fractions, add the top numbers, then simplify. With mixed numbers too.
- Subtracting Fractions: Like and Unlike DenominatorsHow to subtract fractions with the same or different bottom numbers, and how to borrow when the fraction you are taking away is bigger than the one you have.
- Fraction Word Problems: Choosing the Right OperationHow to decide whether a fraction word problem needs addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, with the signal words and worked solutions for each.