Stand Alone Instructional Resource StAIR By Onnie Kok

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Stand Alone Instructional Resource(StAIR)By
Onnie Kok

• Converting Fractions

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Overview
This project is designed to better your
understanding of converting fractions,
specifically with mixed fractions and improper
fractions. Also, it is designed to explore
slightly less conventional ways to helping you
convert your fractions, but more importantly
understand them.
This StAIR assumes that the student already has
some prior knowledge of fractions, such as how to
add, multiply and subtract fractions.
Lastly, have a calculator handy.
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About Converting Fractions
Whenever working with fractions, it is always
helpful to be able to visualize the process of
converting and then solving fractions. This StAIR
will attempt to better your understanding of
converting fractions, and fractions as a whole,
by visually explaining the process.
Often times when dealing with mixed fractions, it
is useful to approximate the answer ahead of
time. This is especially useful when working
without a calculator! If working with addition,
for example, you could add the whole numbers, and
so converting the question, which will give you
an accurate approximation of the answer.
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Lesson 1
Visualizing Fractions

• As mentioned before, an effective way to
  understanding fractions, and converting them,
  comes from being able to visualize the process.
  Here is an example

But how?
15
3
3

Try looking at it this way
4
4
To put this into perspective, think about
multiplying the 3 wholes with 4, as there are 3
wholes of four. Then add the 3 on top. So the sum
would be fifteen fourths.
Of course, what you would do is, multiply the 4
by the 3 and then add the 3 on top (numerator)
15


4
3 x 4 (12)
3 15/4
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Practice questions
Try converting the following mixed fractions into
improper fractions. As youre looking for the
right answer go through the mental process of
multiplying and adding the fractions. Try not to
use a calculator.
6
1)
9
3
33
33
A)
B)
11

3
6
1
19
9
C)

2
2
6
Correct!
Try the next one
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Convert
13
2)
6
20
133
120
A)
C)
13
20
85
B)
20
8
Wrong!

• Sorry, try again

9
Correct!

• Nice, now youre ready to take the quiz

10
WRONG!
TRY AGAIN
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Quiz

• Convert
• Click on the letters
• gt No calculators

96
3
48
240
A)
2
C)
3
3
x
2
48

1
6

112
B)
240
48
D)
5

48
12
Wrong!

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Continuing
Which of the below most accurately describes the
situation?
1
5
2
A)
B)
2
2
14
WRONG!!
15
Correct!

• Go ahead to the next lesson

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Lesson 2

• Approximations

Approximating fractions are really mentally based
and can be done quickly. By adding or subtracting
the whole numbers of mixed fractions, merely
converts the question straight to the answer.
Heres an example
The final answer would look like this
4
2

9
16
6
7
7
25
7
25
Approximations are usually quite accurate and are
well worth doing
Adding only the whole numbers will approximate
the final answer
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Approximations
Approximations can almost always be made
regardless whether the fractions share a common
denominator or not. This is very handy as it is
easy to make a mistake along the way, when you
will eventually have to find a common
denominator, and by comparing the final answer to
the approximated answer would alert you to a
mistake.
Consider the following problem
Multiply the denominators by 3 and 4 to make them
both 12
13
3
11
1

4

X 4
2
X 3
4
3
4
3
6
So now, naturally, you would convert the mixed
fractions into simpler forms
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Approximations
Continuing
23
25
48


12
12
12
So the approximation was close enough. It
wouldnt hurt to double check though
4

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Quick Quiz!
Below you will see a few possible approximations
for the answer of the fraction, click on the
correct letter when you have an answer. Do not
use your calculator
2
3
12
4

5
5

A)
17
C)
16
62
23
85

B)
17
D)


5
5
5
20
Correct!
Well done, youve demonstrated that you
understand the concepts dealt with in this StAIR.
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Wrong!
Oops, looks like youll have to review the lesson
again
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and youre done!