What's a Fraction?

Wrap-up

We use fractions without even realizing it—we divide football and basketball games into quarters, get half a dollar in change, and cut pizzas into eighths. Fractions can tell us how much is gone and how much is left. Start looking for them in your life.

In this lesson you:

• Studied the meanings of different fractions
• Learned how to find fractions that are equal, or equivalent
• Learned how to compare fractions in your head

On your own:

• Imagine you won the lottery—$24 million! Make a list of the people you would share your winnings with. Figure out what fraction of the total jackpot you would keep for yourself and what fraction you would give to each person on your list.
• Pour yourself a glass of milk. Now read the nutritional information on the milk carton. Find the part that tells you how many servings there are per container. Figure out how many ounces of milk you’ve poured and then figure out what fraction of the entire carton of milk remains. Try doing this calculation with other items of food, such as a box of cereal or bottle of juice.
• Examine your grocery receipt. How much did you spend on produce (fruits and vegetables)? What fraction of the total bill does this represent?