Along Came Fractions ….
Before we jump in and start “doing” fractions, let’s talk about why we need
fractions at all. In the space below, make a list of all the ways that come to
mind that fractions can be used.
I expect as you learn more about math that this list will grow!
Now, to be sure that we understand fractions, let’s start with some
definitions.
Just what is a fraction?
In the last unit we saw that the whole numbers contained a set called the
counting numbers. How do the whole numbers and counting numbers fit with
fractions?
Q
W
N
So why are the fractions called Q? The letter Q stands for quotient. Unlike
the Whole numbers, the set Q, which is called the rational numbers, contains
numbers that are negative and nonnegative. For this year in math we will
focus most of our attention on rational numbers that are nonnegative.
The next time you see the fractions defined, it may look like this.
Q={
}
Now, look back at the Venn Diagram. It tells us that every Counting Number
and every Whole Number is a Rational Number. To show that this is true,
change each of these numbers to their fraction form.
a.
16
b.
22
c.
1
d.
Also know that many of our decimal numbers will belong to the set of
fractions!
So, let’s practice using fraction language.
Name a fraction that fits the description.
a. a proper fraction
b. an unsimplified fraction
c. an improper fraction that is not also a whole number
d. a mixed number
e. a whole number
f. a number that is on the left of zero on a number line
0