12-NEM-Gr4-Chap12
7/19/03
3:23 PM
Page 326
CHAPTER 12
You will need
2
Mixed Numbers and
Improper Fractions
• pattern blocks
Goal Model, write, and compare improper
fractions and mixed numbers.
Chris’s Trapezoids
I have 5 trapezoids.
I cover hexagons with trapezoids to
find out how many hexagons I have.
2 trapezoids cover a whole
hexagon. A trapezoid is
half a hexagon.
I can say 2 trapezoids, or 22, makes 1 whole hexagon.
5 trapezoids cover
5
2
5
2
hexagons. I have
5
2
hexagons.
is an improper fraction.
I can also say 5 trapezoids cover 2 whole hexagons
and another half hexagon. I have 212 hexagons.
212 is a mixed number.
mixed numbers can you create with
? What
hexagons and other pattern blocks?
A. Cover hexagons with 8 green triangles.
Write an improper fraction for the hexagons covered.
Write a mixed number for the hexagons covered.
B. Repeat part A using 8 blue rhombuses to cover
improper fraction
A fraction with a
numerator that is
greater than or
equal to its
denominator
numerator
denominator
7
4
an improper fraction
mixed number
A whole number
with a fraction.
A mixed number
describes an
amount between
2 whole numbers.
3
14
fraction
whole number (not 0)
hexagons.
C. Repeat part A using 3 red trapezoids to cover hexagons.
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NEL
12-NEM-Gr4-Chap12
7/19/03
3:23 PM
Page 327
D. Which is greater, 5 or 3?
2
2
Use pattern blocks to show how you know.
E. Which is greater, 12 or 21?
6
6
Use pattern blocks to show how you know.
Reflecting
1. a) What does the numerator in an improper
fraction tell you?
b) What does the denominator in an improper
fraction tell you?
c) If the denominators are equal, how do the
numerators help you to compare improper
fractions?
2. How can you tell that 13 is between 2 and 3?
6
Checking
3. Instead of a hexagon, think of the blue rhombus as
the whole.
a) What fraction of the rhombus is 1 green triangle?
b) How many rhombuses do 5 triangles cover?
Write an improper fraction and a mixed number.
Practising
4. Think of the red trapezoid as the whole.
What fraction of the trapezoid is 1 green triangle?
5. How many trapezoids are covered?
Write an improper fraction and a mixed number
for each.
a) 4 triangles
c) 6 triangles
e) 8 triangles
b) 5 triangles
d) 7 triangles
f) 9 triangles
6. Which is greater? Show how you know.
a) 3 2 or 2 1
3
NEL
3
b) 8 or 5
3
3
c) 7 or 2 2
3
3
327