Mathematics 8 Support

Fraction Meanings
 Meanings of Fractions

Meaning Example

Record the meaning here

Draw an example here

Record special notes about

the meaning here
 Part of a Whole

the result when the whole

or unit is partitioned into
equal-sized parts
 Part of a Whole

• Sharing tasks promote developmental

understanding for part of a whole.
• The parts into which the whole is divided
are equal but do not need to be identical.
• Fraction parts do not have to be adjacent.
 Meanings of Fractions

Part of a Whole Example

the result when the whole or
unit is partitioned into equal-
sized parts
• Sharing tasks promote
developmental understanding for
part of a whole.
• The parts into which the whole is
divided are equal but do not need
to be identical.
• Fraction parts do not have to be 5
adjacent. of the figure is shaded
8
 Parts of a Set

the result when a group

or a collection of things
is partitioned
 Parts of a Set

• The members of the set do not have to

be identical.
• Containing or enclosing the set helps
students see the set as one unit.
 Part of a Measure

involves associating marks on

measuring devices, such as
rulers, with fraction names
 Part of a Measure

• This is the most abstract of the first

three meanings but the most useful for
the teaching of computational skills.
Can be Used to Name a Ratio

a comparison between two

quantities that may or may not
involve different units
 Can be Used to Name a Ratio

• A ratio is a numerical relationship

• A fraction used to name a ratio may or
may not involve wholes, groups or the
name for a point (measure). It involves
making a comparison.
 An Indicated Division

the symbolic form of a fraction is

seen as the quotient of 2
integers with the fraction bar as
a signal to divide
 Can be Used as an Operator

3
to operate on a unit (e.g. of 12)
4
 Can be Used as an Operator

• A misconception that often occurs is that

students think that multiplication
“always makes bigger” and division
“always makes smaller”.
 2
Write about or draw 5 to
illustrate each of the meanings.