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MATH NEWS

Grade 5, Module 3, Topic B

OBJECTIVES OF TOPIC B

 Add and subtract fractions with unlike units using

the strategy of creating equivalent fractions.

 Add and subtract fractions with sums between 1

and 2.

 Solve two-step word problems.

5

th Grade Math

Module 3: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

Math Parent Letter

This document is created to give parents and students a better

understanding of the math concepts found in Eureka Math (©

2013 Common Core, Inc.) that is also posted as the Engage New

York material which is taught in the classroom. Grade 5 Module 3

of Eureka Math (Engage New York) covers Addition and

Subtraction of Fractions. This newsletter will address making like

units pictorially.

Topic B. Making Like Units Pictorially

Words to know

 Unit Fraction  Improper Fraction  Product  Factor

 Simplest Form

 Equivalent Fraction

 Mixed Number

 Associative Property

 Estimate

 Decimal Fraction

 Standard Algorithm

Things to Remember:

 Unit Fraction – A fraction whereby the numerator (the “top number”) is 1.

Examples:

 Improper Fraction- An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator

(the top number) is greater than or equal to the denominator (the bottom

number.

Examples:

 Simplest form (fraction)- A fraction is in simplest form when the

numerator and denominator only have 1 as their common factor.

Example:

1⁄2 is in simplest form because the only common factor for 1 and 2 is 1.

 Mixed Number-A mixed number is a whole number and a fraction

combined into one “mixed” number.

Example:

 Equivalent Fraction-Fractions which have the same value, even though

they may look different.

Example:

 Associative Property - Associative Property states that you can add or

multiply regardless of how the numbers are grouped. By ‘grouped’ we mean

where the parentheses are placed.

Example: 5 x 7 x 2 = (5 x 2) x 7 or 5 x (2 x 7)

Focus Area– Topic B

Module 3: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

Problem 1:

Step 1: Ask yourself can the fraction one third be added to the

fraction one fourth? No, because the units are not the same.

We need to find like units.

Step 2: Begin the process of finding like units (denominators) by

drawing two rectangular models. Each rectangular model will

represent a different unit fraction shown above.

Step 3: Have both rectangular models show the same size units.

Step 4: Rename each fraction showing like units(denominators).

Now, we can add the units.

)

Divide the

rectangular

model

vertically

into three

equal units.

Shade in one

unit to

represent

one out of

three.

Divide the

rectangular

model

horizontally

into four

equal units.

Shade in one

unit to

represent one

out of four.

Divide the

rectangular

model

showing

into fourths

using three

horizontal

lines.

Divide the

rectangular

model

showing

into thirds

using two

vertical lines.

Each rectangular model now has 12 units.

Application Problem:

Gabe ran

miles on Monday and

miles on Tuesday. How far

did Gabe run on both days. Answer:

(The steps above would be used to determine how far Gabe

ran on both days.)

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For the following problem, draw a picture using rectangular

models.

Solve the following problem using the Associative Property.

The fraction

to

. The only common

factor for 2 and 3 is 1; therefore it is in simplest form.

To find the simplest form we divide both the numerator and

denominator by a common factor.

Marco bought two pizzas for dinner. He ate

of the pizza for dinner and

for breakfast the next morning. Marco took the remaining pizza to school

for lunch. How much total pizza did he eat for breakfast and lunch? How

much pizza did Marco take to school for lunch?

Marco ate a total of one whole pizza

and one-sixth of the second pizza for

dinner and breakfast.

Mixed Number

therefore, you can rewrite the problem using the Associative Property.

Question 2: How much pizza did Marco take for lunch?

Strategy 1: 1 whole pizza

Strategy 2: 1 whole pizza –

pizza eaten =

Marco took five-sixths of a pizza to school for lunch.

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

= 1 whole pizza