How it works
A unit fraction has 1 as its numerator: one of the equal parts a whole is cut into. This unit fractions worksheet opens on circles and strips with one piece shaded and a blank for 1/b under each.
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More parts, smaller pieces
1/8 is smaller than 1/3, though 8 is more than 3: a whole cut into 8 parts has thinner pieces. Which unit fraction is greater? Halves to twelfths drills that one idea, and the two Least to greatest sheets sort three or four pieces.
Every fraction is a count of unit fractions
Common Core 3.NF.1 reads a/b as a parts of size 1/b, so 3/8 is three eighths counted: 3 × 1/8, or 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8. The Counting unit fractions sheets write it both ways. Grade 3 keeps to denominators 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8; a sheet that adds fifths, tenths or twelfths says so in its name or in the list of sheet types.
- The number line sheets are short, five lines each, because grade 3 has five denominators.
- On the shading sheets any one part is right; the key says so beside its own shading.
Questions and answers
What is a unit fraction?
A fraction with 1 on top, such as 1/2, 1/5 or 1/12. When a whole is cut in equal parts, every part is a unit fraction of it.
What grade are unit fractions?
Grade 3 under the Common Core: standard 3.NF.1 defines 1/b as one part of a whole cut into b equal parts, and 3.NF.3d compares fractions with the same numerator.
Why is 1/8 smaller than 1/3?
Both are one piece, but the pieces differ. A whole cut into 8 equal parts has smaller parts than the same whole cut into 3, so 1/8 < 1/3.
How do you write a fraction as a sum of unit fractions?
Write the unit fraction as many times as the numerator says: 5/6 = 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6. The sheet 3/4 = 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4: split into unit fractions practices it.