National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015

Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning

Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Common Core State Standards

Common Core State Standards

7.RP.1 Compute unit rates associated with ratios of fractions, including ratios of lengths, areas and other
quantities measured in like or different units. For example, if a person walks 1/2 mile in each 1/4
hour, compute the unit rate as the complex fraction 1/2/1/4 miles per hour, equivalently 2 miles per
hour.
7.NS.3 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving the four operations with rational numbers.

Mathematical Practices 1, 3, and 4 are aspects of mathematical thinking that are emphasized in every lesson.
Students are given opportunities to be persistent in their problem solving, to express their reasoning, and apply
mathematics to realworld situations.
Exercise 17 and 19 focuses on Mathematical Practice 1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Exercises 15, 16, 18, and 31 focus on Mathematical Practice 3 Construct viable arguments and critique the
reasoning of others.
Exercise 14 focuses on Mathematical Practice 6 Attend to precision.

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

1 Launch the Lesson

Focus narrowing the scope

Objective Simplify complex fractions. 7.RP.1, 7.NS.3

Coherence connecting within and across grades

Previous Now Next
Students found unit rates for Students will simplify complex Students will use ratios and rates to
real-world situations. fractions and find unit rates. convert units of measure.

Rigor pursuing concepts, fluency, and applications

See the Levels of Complexity chart in the Practice and Apply section.

Lesson Vocabulary
complex fraction

As students enter the classroom, have them complete the Common Core Quick Check to review and assess the
skills presented in the previous lesson.

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Ideas for Use
You may wish to launch the lesson using a whole group, small group, think-pair-share activity, or independent
activity.

Think-Pair-Share Give students one minute to individually think through their responses to
Exercises 1–4. Then have them share their responses with a partner. Call on one set of partners to share their
responses with the class. 1
Alternate Strategy

Have students explain what the fraction would mean in the context of the skating scenario.

Then have them write the fraction that represents the number of laps Dana can skate in 4 seconds. 1, 2, 3
Resources
Chapter 1, Lesson 2 Presentation, Course 2
Common Core Quick Check: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

2 Teach the Concept

Focus: Mathematical Background

There are many steps involved in simplifying complex fractions. To prevent errors from occurring, be sure
students write out each step.

For classroom presentation, use the Step-by-Step Examples to demonstrate the examples from the Student
Edition.

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Ask the scaffolded questions for each example to differentiate instruction.

1. Simplify a complex fraction.

Why is this fraction a complex fraction? The numerator is also a fraction itself.

How would you write this complex fraction as a division problem?

How do you rewrite a division problem as a multiplication problem? Multiply the dividend by the reciprocal of
the divisor.

Explain what this complex fraction represents. is being split into two equal parts.

How could you use this meaning to simplify the fraction mentally? split into two equal parts means that each

equal part is .

Need Another Example?

Simplify .

2. Simplify a complex fraction.

What is the numerator of the complex fraction? the denominator? 1;

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

How do you rewrite the complex fraction as a division problem? 1 ÷ ; the numerator divided by the

denominator.

Explain, in words, what the complex fraction represents. how many s are in 1

How could you use this meaning to simplify the fraction mentally? There are 2 sets of in 1.

Need Another Example?

Simplify . 20

3. Use a complex fraction to find a unit rate.

Why is the fraction a complex fraction? The numerator and denominator are also fractions themselves.
What operation does the fraction bar represent? division.

How do you rewrite the complex fraction as a division problem?

Why do we write the mixed number as an improper fraction? for easier multiplication

How could you find the unit rate mentally? Sample answer: The rate was miles per hour. To calculate

the unit rate per hour, we can simply multiply miles by 4, which gives a result of miles.

Need Another Example?

Marcus has a bag of cat food that contains cups. If he feeds his cats a total of cup of food per

day, how many days will the bag last? 30 days

4. Use a complex fraction to find a unit rate.

Why is the fraction a complex fraction? The numerator and denominator are also fractions themselves.
What operation does the fraction bar represent? division

How do you rewrite the complex fraction as a division problem?

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Why do we multiply by the reciprocal? Multiplication and division are inverse operations.

How do you know that the answer in reasonable? Sample answer: hour is less than 1 hour, but more than

hour; square feet is less than 46 square feet, but more than 23 square feet, which would represent the

number of square feet painted in hour.

Need Another Example?

A construction worker is blacktopping a driveway. She blacktops square yards in hour. How

many square yards can she blacktop per hour? square yards per hour

5. Write fractional percents as fractions using complex fractions.

What are you trying to do? write % as a fraction in simplest form

What is a percent? a ratio that compares a number to 100

How can you use the phrase “complex fraction” to help you remember what a complex fraction is? Complex
means multi-part, so a complex fraction is a fraction within a fraction.

How can you write % as a complex fraction?

How can you write the complex fraction as a division problem? ÷ 100

Write a complex fraction that can be written as % when simplified.

Need Another Example?

Wrtie % as a fraction in simplest form.

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Formative Assessment Use these exercises to assess students' understanding of the concepts in this lesson.

If some of your students are not ready for assignments, use the differentiated activities below.
Rally Coach Have students work in pairs to discuss and complete Exercises 1–6. Have one student
talk through their process for each exercise while their partner listens, encourages, coaches, praises and takes
notes as necessary. Students alternate roles for each exercise. 1
Trade-a-Problem Have students create their own complex fraction that can be simplified. Then
have them trade their complex fractions with a partner and have each student simplify their partner’s complex
fraction. 1, 4
Resources
Virtual Manipulatives
Simplify a Complex Fraction
Find Unit Rates
Real-World Example: Writing Unit Rates
Write Percents as Fractions
Real-World Example: Writing Unit Rates
Find Unit Rates

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

3 Practice & Apply

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Independent Practice and Extra Practice
The Independent Practice pages are meant to be used as the homework assignment. The Extra Practice page can
be used for additional reinforcement or as a second-day assignment.

Levels of Complexity
The levels of the exercises progress from 1 to 3, with Level 1 indicating the lowest level of complexity.

Suggested Assignments
You can use the table below that includes exercises of all complexity levels to select appropriate exercises for
your students' needs.
Differentiated Homework Options

Approaching Level 1–13, 15, 16, 18, 32, 33

On Level 1–13 odd, 14–16, 18, 32, 33

Beyond Level 14–19, 32, 33

can provide additional remediation support with personalized instruction and practice.

Create Your Own Homework Online

eSolutionsManual™ can be used to create worksheets for the suggested assignments above, or to create your own
worksheets for differentiated homework or review.

The following worksheets are also available for additional homework practice:
The Skills Practice editable worksheet provides students with additional practice in the skills taught in this
lesson.
The Homework Practice editable worksheet helps students practice skills in this lesson and use those skills to
solve problems.
The Problem-Solving Practice editable worksheet helps students become better problem solvers by providing
frequent opportunities to solve real-world problems.
The Extra Practice worksheet provides additional practice for the skills taught in this lesson.

The Step-by-Step Solutions provide a worked out solution for selected exercises from the Independent
Practice in the Student Edition.

Students may incorrectly rewrite the complex fraction when simplifying or calculating unit rates. Make sure
students pay close attention to the bar separating the numerator and denominator.
Resources

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Step by Step Solutions: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Skills Practice: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Skills Practice Answers: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Homework Practice: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Homework Practice Answers: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Problem-Solving Practice: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Problem-Solving Practice Answers: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Extra Practice: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Extra Practice Answers, Chapter 1
Homework Practice: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Problem-Solving Practice: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Skills Practice: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Extra Practice: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
eSolutions, Glencoe Math Course 2

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Additional Activities for Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated Instruction activities for Approaching Level, On Level, and Beyond Level Learners can also be
found at point-of-use in the Launch the Lesson and Teach the Concept sections. The following are additional
activities that can be used with this lesson.

The Reteach Worksheet provides additional examples and practice for students who may have difficulty in
grasping the math concepts in this lesson.

The Enrich Worksheet provides students with valuable opportunities for extending this lesson.

Resources
Reteach: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Reteach Answers: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Enrich: It's On Sale!
Enrich Answers: It's On Sale!
Reteach: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Enrich: It's On Sale!

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Additional Activities for English Learners

Differentiated Instruction activities for English Learners can also be found at point-of-use in the Launch the
Lesson and Teach the Concept sections. The following is an additional activity that can be used with this lesson.

Option 1: Use Chapter 1, Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates from the Interactive Guide for
English Learners.

Word Wall Printable English/Spanish Word Wall cards are available for the following vocabulary words in
this lesson:
complex fraction
Resources
Word Wall Cards
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Student Edition, Course 2, Lesson 1-2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Teacher Edition, Course 2, Lesson 1-2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Course 2, Teacher Edition
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Course 2, Student Edition
Visual Kinesthetic Vocabulary, Course 2, Student Edition
Visual Kinesthetic Vocabulary, Course 2, Teacher Edition

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Assessment

Formative Assessment
Use this activity as a closing formative assessment before dismissing students from your class.

Have students simplify the complex fraction .5

The online Self-Check Quiz for this lesson allows students to review concepts from each lesson.

Exercises 32 and 33 prepare students for more rigorous thinking needed when taking the CCSS assessment.
32.
This test item requires students to reason abstractly and quantitatively when problem solving.
Depth of Knowledge DOK1
CCSS Content Standard 7.RP.1, 7.NS.3
Mathematical Practices MP1, MP3
Online Experience Students will be required to click on the bubbles to
select all answers that are correct.

Scoring Rubric
1 point Students correctly answer each part of the question.
33.
This test item requires students to explain and apply mathematical concepts and solve
problems with precision, while making use of structure.
Depth of Knowledge DOK2
CCSS Content Standard 7.RP.1, 7.NS.3
Mathematical Practices MP1, MP6
Online Experience Students will be required to type their responses in the
boxes.

Scoring Rubric
2 points Students correctly order 4 riders, list the speed for
each, and determine the fastest rider.
1 point Students correctly order 4 riders, list the speed for
each, but fail to determine the fastest rider OR
students correctly order the riders, but fail to list the
correct speed for each and may or may not identify the
fastest rider.
Quick Check
Are students continuing to struggle with simplifying complex fractions?
If Yes
Reteach Worksheet
If No

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

Skills Practice Worksheet

Enrich Worksheet

Resources
Self-Check Quiz: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Lesson 2: Complex Fractions and Unit Rates

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