Process

Step 1: Let's begin with what we know about fractions:

What is a fraction? Give an example.

Which number is the numerator?  Which number is the denominator?  Can either number be a zero?

Can the numerator ever be larger than the denominator?

Do you know how to add and subtract fractions - what about non-equivalent fractions?

Do you know how to multiply and divide fractions?

Step 2: Let's talk about word problems that involve fractions:

Example Question. We will walk through this one together:  

Cameron has 54 marbles. One-third of them are blue. How many of the marbles are not blue?

Step 1 - Underline or highlight the question.

Cameron has 54 marbles. One-third of them are blue. How many of the marbles are not blue?

Step 2 - Circle important words.

Cameron has 54 marbles. One-third of them are blue. How many of the marbles are not blue?

Step 3 - Draw the problem.

Cameron has 54 marbles. One-third of them are blue. How many of the marbles are not blue?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

54 marbles are divided into three equal groups.

Step 4 - Use labels.

Cameron has 54 marbles. One-third of them are blue. How many of the marbles are not blue?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO   (18 marbles)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO   (18 marbles)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO   (18 marbles)

One-third of the marbles are blue. Therefore, one of the groups is colored blue.


Step 5 - Solve the problem.

Cameron has 54 marbles. One-third of them are blue. How many of the marbles are not blue?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO   (18 marbles)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO   (18 marbles)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO   (18 marbles)

18 + 18 = 36

Two-thirds are not colored blue. 18 + 18 = 36. Therefore, Cameron has 36 marbles that are not blue.

Now it's your turn!

Follow the steps to solve the questions. As you solve each one, remember to use the tips suggested earlier:

Tips:                                                              

  • Understand the problem.                            
  • Read the problem.
  • Underline or highlight the question.
  • Circle any important words.
  • Draw the problem.
  • Use labels and use colors, if possible.

    • Easy 

    There are eight pieces of pizza. Justin ate five-eighths of the pizza for dinner. He ate two-eighths of the pizza for a bedtime snack. How much of the pizza has he eaten in all?

    Solution

     

    Moderate  

    Makayla ate seven-twelfths of her orange before lunch and a third of her orange after lunch. How much of her orange did she eat in all?

    Solution

     

    Challenging  

    Katherine put ten-elevenths of a cup of peanut butter chips and five-elevenths of a cup of chocolate chips in a bowl. How many cups of chips did she have in all?

    Solution


    Now it's time for you to complete your own fraction word problems! Click here to take your own fraction word problem quiz.

    Your own fraction word problems

     

    Now that you are an expert at solving fraction word problems, let's create some of your own to offer your other classmates.  Use the paper provided and create 3 separate fraction word problems: 1 easy, 1 moderate, and 1 challenging.  make sure to make solution sheets for each one as well!