Multiplying Fractions

Resources and Tools for Elementary Math Specialists and Teachers

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Teachers can use this interactive tool to help students build a conceptual understanding of what it means to multiply with fractions. The tool includes word problems and paraphrase applications of the word problems, visual models, and equations. It can be used to model the use of multiplication to find the product for both "groups of" and "parts of" problems. This page includes a video demonstration of the tool and sample lessons from the Conceptua curriculum. Free registration is required to use the tool. A paid subscription is necessary to access full curriculum and allow full student use.

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Contributed by: Conceptua Math, Publisher

Math TopicNumber Sense, Fractions, Mathematical Practices, Mathematical Processes

Grade Level4, 5, 6+

Resource TypeActivity, Demonstration, Interactive Media, Lesson Plans, Video

Additional Information
- AudienceEducator
- LanguageEnglish (USA)
- Education Topic
- Interdisciplinary Connection
- Professional DevelopmentYes
- ContributorConceptua Math, Publisher
- Publication Date2011
- RightsCopyright (c) 2011 Conceptua Math, LLC
  http://www.conceptuamath.com/terms.html
- AccessAvailable by subscription, Free access with registration
Standards
- Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
  Select a standards document:
- Standards for Mathematical Practice[K-12]
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.[K-12]
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.[K-12]
- Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.[K-12]
- Model with mathematics.[K-12]
- Use appropriate tools strategically.[K-12]
- Number and Operations—Fractions[3 - 5]
- Build fractions from unit fractions by applying and extending previous understandings of operations on whole numbers.[4]
- 4. Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction by a whole number.[4]
- a. Understand a fraction a/b as a multiple of 1/b. For example, use a visual fraction model to represent 5/4 as the product 5 × (1/4), recording the conclusion by the equation 5/4 = 5 × (1/4).[4]
- b. Understand a multiple of a/b as a multiple of 1/b, and use this understanding to multiply a fraction by a whole number. For example, use a visual fraction model to express 3 × (2/5) as 6 × (1/5), recognizing this product as 6/5. (In general, n × (a/b) = (n × a)/b.)[4]
- c. Solve word problems involving multiplication of a fraction by a whole number, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. For example, if each person at a party will eat 3/8 of a pound of roast beef, and there will be 5 people at the party, how many pounds of roast beef will be needed? Between what two whole numbers does your answer lie?[4]
- Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to multiply and divide fractions.[5]
- 6. Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.[5]
- 4. Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction or whole number by a fraction.[5]
- a. Interpret the product (a/b) × q as a parts of a partition of q into b equal parts; equivalently, as the result of a sequence of operations a × q ÷ b. For example, use a visual fraction model to show (2/3) × 4 = 8/3, and create a story context for this equation. Do the same with (2/3) × (4/5) = 8/15. (In general, (a/b) × (c/d) = ac/bd.)[5]
User Comments
- Average
  5
  
  Great resource
  By bethb on 02/19/2013 - 15:22
- I love how this resource presents a problem, then the multiplication sentence and the model!

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Multiplying Fractions

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics