Fractions are numbers, too, but they describe parts of whole numbers. Fractions are used in retail, medicine, construction, etc. Fractions provide information on how much something costs when on sale - 30% off, how much to cut from a piece of lumber, or how much medication to give. Fractions are written as one number divided by another, usually with one above the other.
For example, a half is written as 1⁄2, and a quarter as 1⁄4. The number on the top is the numerator, and the number on the bottom is the denominator. Fractions smaller than 1 have a smaller numerator than the denominator (1/2). Fractions larger than 1 have a larger numerator than the denominator (3/2). The line or slash between each symbolizes it is a fraction. Similar to a fraction is a ratio, signified by a colon (: ), which compares two quantities. Therefore, fractions and ratios can be represented using division.
Resource:
Fractions - Definition, Types, Properties, and Examples provides a quick summary that will be quite helpful in solving algebra problems involving fractions.
Everyday Mathematics
Fractions are widely used in workplace scenarios such as budgeting, inventory management, engineering, and healthcare. Here are some engaging hands-on activities to teach Using Fractions in the Workplace, along with a materials list:
Recipe Scaling for Food Service
Activity: Participants adjust ingredient quantities using fractions to scale recipes up or down.
Materials:
Recipe cards.
Measuring cups and spoons.
Material Usage in Manufacturing
Activity: Participants calculate fractional amounts of materials used in production.
Materials:
Sample material sheets.
Fraction conversion charts.
Financial Calculations
Activity: Participants calculate fractional tax rates, discounts, and interest rates in business transactions.
Materials:
Financial statement templates.
Pens and calculators.
Inventory Management
Activity: Participants divide stock quantities into fractional amounts for distribution.
Materials:
Inventory sheets.
Sample product labels.
Workplace Scheduling
Activity: Participants allocate fractional work hours for shift planning.
Materials:
Scheduling templates.
Pens and markers.
Explore more workplace applications of fractions here.
Paper: Graph paper, plain sheets, worksheets.
Writing Tools: Pens, pencils, markers, highlighters.
Calculators: Basic and scientific calculators.
Scenario Cards: Pre-written real-life math problems.
Sorting Trays: For organizing numbers and calculations.
Budget and Payroll Templates: Printable worksheets for financial calculations.
Inventory and Sales Sheets: Tracking templates for workplace applications.
These activities make fractions practical and engaging in workplace scenarios. You can explore more workplace math strategies here.