1. I can separate a fraction in more than one way by using an equation
Separating Fractions
I can separate a fraction in more than one way by using an equation

2. Big Ideas Fractions can be broken down into parts in different ways.
Equations can be used to represent the breakdown of the parts.

3. Essential Questions
What is a fraction? How can it be broken down into different parts?
What is an equation? How can it be used to break down a fraction.

4. Think back...... A fraction represents part of a whole.
Remember when we learned about adding and subtracting fractions?
Turn to your shoulder partner and tell them the steps for adding and subtracting fractions.
Did you say......
you add or subtract the numerators and the denominator remains the same?

5. Breaking Fractions Down
Remember that an equation says that two things are the same using number symbols, including an equal sign.
For example: = 5
We can use addition to break down or separate fractions and mixed numbers.

6. Let’s take a look! How would we separate 9/12?
We break down the numerator so that the numbers add up to 9, the denominator stays the same.
We could add
3/12 + 2/12 + 1/12 +1/12 + 1/12 + 1/12 = 9/ or
4/12 + 4/12 + 1/12 = 9/ or
2/12 + 2/12 + 2/12 + 2/12 + 1/12 = 9/12

7. Keep going..... Let’s take a look at another
What are some ways to separate 6/15?
We could add:
1/15 + 1/15 + 1/15 + 1/15 +1/15 +1/15 = 6/15 or
2/15 + 2/15 + 2/15 = 6/15 or
3/15 + 2/15 + 1/15 = 6/15
Can you think of another way to break it down?

8. Your Turn
On your white boards break down each of these fractions in two different ways:
7/9
8/10
13/15

9. Wrapping it up....... Think in your head.....
What do we need to remember about the denominator when separating fractions?
What do we need to remember about the numerator?

10. Improper Fractions Visual

11. Mixed Numbers
A mixed number is a whole number combined with a fraction.
For example: 2 3/4 is a mixed number.
Mixed numbers can also be separated or broken down.

12. What would that look like?
If we break down 2 3/4 it could look like this:
2 would be broken down into ,
3/4 could be broken into 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4
So, /4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 2 3/4

13. Can We Break it Down Another Way?
Yes!!
2 3/4 can also be broken down into
/4 + 1/4 = 2 3/4

14. Another One How could we break down 3 7/8?
/8 + 2/8 + 2/8 + 1/8 = 3 7/8 or
/8 + 3/8 + 1/8 = 3 7/8

15. Another one... 4 3/9 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2/9 + 1/9 = 4 3/9 or
/9 + 1/9 + 1/9 = 4 3/9

16. Get those White Boards Ready!
Now it is your turn:
3 8/9
2 6/7
1 4/5
4 2/5

17. Independent Practice Fold your paper into 6 sections. 9/16
separate into 4 parts
7/8
separate into 2 parts
8/12
separate into 5 parts
12/20
separate into 8 parts
2 4/8
separate into 5 parts
3 2/10
separate into 5 parts