Flashcards and Practice Videos for Understanding Whole Numbers

The Basics of Fractions

Imagine you have a circle that represents one whole unit. When you divide this circle into equal parts, each part becomes a fraction of the whole. For example, dividing a circle into five equal sections gives you five 1/5 sections. If you shade three out of these five sections, you have shaded 3/5 of the circle.

Simplifying the Concept

Now, let's simplify this concept. Take the same whole circle but divide it into just one section. If you shade this entire section, you have shaded 1/1 of the circle, which is still one whole. This is the fundamental idea that a fraction where the numerator and denominator are the same (like 1/1) equals one whole.

Representing Whole Numbers as Fractions

To understand how whole numbers can be represented as fractions, consider multiple wholes. If you have three whole circles, each divided into one section and fully shaded, you can express this as 3/1. Here’s how it works:

• One whole is 1/1.

• Two wholes are 2/1.

• Three wholes are 3/1.

Each 1/1 is a complete unit, so when you have three of these units, it equals three wholes or simply the number 3.

Visualizing on a Number Line

A helpful way to visualize this is using a number line. Start at 0 and make jumps to each whole number:

• One jump of 1/1 lands you at 1.

• Another jump of 1/1 lands you at 2.

• A third jump of 1/1 lands you at 3.

Each jump represents adding one whole, and three jumps of 1/1 bring you to 3/1, which is the same as 3.

By understanding that fractions like 3/1 are just another way to represent whole numbers, you can see the versatility and simplicity of fractions in representing different values.