Post 5: Multiplying Fractions

 This week, my class started learning how to multiply fractions with like denominators and write equations using unit fractions. We had a whole discussion about how multiplication is just repeated addition which I found to be a nice tie-in to what we talked about in this class! 

First, we showed the students a fraction like 4/5. Then we told them to break it down into an addition problem with unit fractions. Unit fractions are just fractions with 1 as the numerator. So their equitation should look like 1/5 + 1/5 + 1/5 +1/5 = 4/5. Because multiplication is just repeated addition, we asked them how many times is 1/5 being added? (4 times) So to make it into a multiplication equation, we can just say 1/5 x 4 = 4/5

It is important to stress how you must only multiply the numerator; never multiply the denominator!

Once they understood this concept, it was time to start multiplying fractions with like denominators. We would give them a problem like 2/8 x 3/8 = ?

Knowing that you only multiply the numerators they figured out the answer was 6/8 or 3/4. We had them practice a bit in small groups and eventually moved them to solve problems where the answer was an improper fraction and they would need to convert it to a mixed number, tying in the last chapter 

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