Lesson 6: Fractions

For Grade 5 Students (Ages 10-11) - Let's learn about parts of a whole!

What we will learn today:

In this lesson, you will learn to:

  • Understand what a fraction is.
  • Identify the numerator and denominator.
  • Represent fractions using diagrams.
  • Write fractions for shaded and unshaded parts.

Introduction to Fractions

Hello, young mathematicians! Have you ever shared a pizza with friends, or cut a cake into pieces? When we talk about parts of a whole, we are talking about fractions!

A fraction represents a part of a whole. The "whole" can be a single object, like a cake, or a group of objects, like a basket of fruits.

Let's explore how we write and understand these parts.

Numerator and Denominator

Every fraction has two important parts:

Look at the fraction $\frac{1}{2}$ (one half):

  • The number on top is called the **Numerator**. It tells us how many parts we are considering. (Here, it's $1$)
  • The number at the bottom is called the **Denominator**. It tells us the total number of equal parts the whole is divided into. (Here, it's $2$)
    Numerator   1
    ---------
    Denominator 2

Representing Fractions

We can use diagrams to visualize fractions. The shaded parts usually represent the numerator, and the total parts represent the denominator.

Example 1: One-half ($\frac{1}{2}$)

$\frac{1}{2}$

This rectangle is divided into 2 equal parts. 1 part is shaded.

Example 2: Two-thirds ($\frac{2}{3}$)

$\frac{2}{3}$

This rectangle is divided into 3 equal parts. 2 parts are shaded.

Practice Time!

Write the fraction for the shaded part in each diagram.

1. What fraction is shaded?

/

2. What fraction is shaded?

/

3. What fraction is shaded?

/

4. What fraction is unshaded?

/

Solve the following word problems.

Exercise 2: Word Problems

  1. A cake was cut into 8 equal slices. If you ate 3 slices, what fraction of the cake did you eat?

    /

  2. There are 10 apples in a basket. 5 of them are red. What fraction of the apples are red?

    /

Answers to Practice Time

Let's check your answers!

  1. Exercise 1: Identifying Fractions

    • 1. $\frac{3}{4}$
    • 2. $\frac{1}{2}$
    • 3. $\frac{2}{4}$ (or $\frac{1}{2}$)
    • 4. $\frac{1}{3}$

  2. Exercise 2: Word Problems

    • 1. You ate $\frac{3}{8}$ of the cake.
    • 2. $\frac{5}{10}$ (or $\frac{1}{2}$) of the apples are red.

You've completed Lesson 6!

Fantastic work, Math Lanka students! You've taken your first steps into the world of fractions. Understanding parts of a whole is a very important skill. Keep practicing, and you'll become a fraction expert!

Next Lesson
Previous Lesson Next Lesson