FRACTIONS CAN BE FUN!

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FRACTIONS CAN BE FUN!

• An introduction to the world of fractions
• By Heather Smith

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What is a fraction?

• A fraction is a number that expresses part of a
  group.

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Examples of fractions

• 1/2
• 3/4
• 2/3
• 1/8
• 4/9
• 2/6
• 3/5
• 4/5

• 4/12
• 3/9
• 1/4
• 1/5
• 8/9
• 5/8
• 5/6
• 4/7

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Fractions have two parts

• All fractions have a numerator
• All fractions have a denominator
• For example a/b
• a is the numerator
• b is the denominator

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Shapes can be used to help identify fractions.

• For example 1/3 can be shown as

• For example 2/5 can also be shown as

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Your turn! Here is a chance for you to practice
identifying fractions.

• How many parts do we shade for 3/7?

• 4/5?

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Fractions are not only used in mathematics! They
are also used in other things too, such as

• Carpentry
• Recipes
• Measuring
• Drafting
• Farming
• Crafts

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Fractions, Fractions, Fractions!

• 1. 1/3
• 2. 3/4
• 3. 2/3
• 4. 4/9
• 5. 5/7

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Here is a little history about fractions.

• The history of fractions begun when humans began
  to observe nature the divisions of the day, the
  month, the seasons, and patterns in nature.
• The Egyptians were the first people to study and
  use fractions. They were the first to use sums
  of unit fractions, fractions with one in the
  numerator. With the use of fractions the
  Egyptians were able to build the pyramids, and
  calculate geometric shapes and volume.
• In 550 AD, Aryabhata, an Indian mathematician,
  used continued fractions to study and solve
  linear equations.
• In 1629, Christian Huygens was the first to use
  continued fractions in a practical application
  for approximating gear ratios.
• Fractions were used in Greek astronomy,
  architecture and music theory for describing
  music intervals and the harmonic progression of
  string lengths.

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Lets review a little about what we have learned
about fractions!!

• What are the two parts of a fraction?
• Who were the first people to study and use
  fractions?
• Where did the history of fractions begin? Can
  you give two examples?

• All fractions have a numerator and denominator.
• Egyptians were the first group of people to use
  fractions.
• With nature the divisions of the day and the
  months.

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Thank you for taking a ride with me through the
world of fractions!!

• Remember fractions are used in everyday life so
  there is no escaping them. Fractions can be
  fun!!!!!

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Resources

• www.ask.com
• http//mathforum.org/library
• http//archives.math.utk.edu/topics/history
• http//chestnuthillacademy.org/bar_gif_folder/frac
  tions
• Debbie Parker (teacher at Parker Elementary
  School)
• The Learning Shoppe