Simplest Fractions for Whole Numbers

Look at this picture.

How many parts are in each group?

Yes, 4.

What’s the bottom number for the fraction shown by this picture?

Yes, 4. Because there are 4 parts in each group the bottom number is 4.

How many parts are used?

Yes, 3 parts are used. So what is the top number for the fractions?

That’s right, 3.

We are using less than one whole group, the fraction 3 is less than 1.

4

4

4

3

Let’s try another one. Look at this picture.

How many parts are in each group?

Yes, 5.

So what number goes on the bottom?

Good job, 5. There are 5 parts in each whole group so 5 goes on the bottom.

How many parts are shaded in?

Yes, 7 parts are shaded in or used. So what is the top number for the fraction? That’s right, 7.

This time we are using more than one whole group so the fraction 7 is more than 1.

5

5

7

5

Let’s try one more.

How many parts are in each group? There are 3 parts in each group.

What is the bottom number?

Yes, 3. 3 parts in each whole group means the bottom number is 3.

3How many parts are used?

That’s correct. 3 parts are used.

So what is the top number?

That’s right 3.

Since 1 whole group is being used the fraction 3 is equal to 1.

3

Now look at this picture.

• How many parts are in each group?• The answer is 1 part in each group. The group and the part are the

same size, so there is 1 part in each group.

If there is 1 part in each group what would the bottom number in this fraction be?

Yes, 1. 1

What is the top number?

Yes, 3. Because we use 3 parts the top number of the fraction is 3.

3

Now look at this picture.

What’s the bottom number for this fraction?

Yes, it’s 1. There is one part in each group.

1

What’s the top number?

Right on, it’s 2 because 2 parts are colored in. The top number is 2.

2

1The fraction for this picture is 2 .

1

One More.

What’s the bottom number for this fraction?

Yes, it’s 1.

1

What’s the top number?

Good job, it’s 4. We used 4 parts so the top number is 4.

4

1The fraction for this picture is 4 .

1

Remember, if a picture looks like this there is one part in each group.

Your Turn

On a piece of paper write the fraction for each picture.

1.

2.

3.

Check your work.

On a piece of paper write the fraction for each picture.

1.

2.

3.

5

1

1

1

3

1

You know that a fraction equals 1 when the bottom number is the same as the top number.

8

8 = 1

We can write a fraction for any whole number. The simplest fraction for any whole number has a 1 on the bottom.

The simplest fraction for 5 is 5 . 5

1 1

The simplest fraction for 7 is 7 7

1 1

The simplest fraction for 3 is 3 3

1 1

The simplest fraction for N is N N

1 1

The simplest fraction for 200 is 200 200

1 1

=

=

=

=

=

5

7

3

N

200

Your Turn.

Here’s a number. 17

What is the simplest fraction for 17? Yes, 17

1= 17

Here’s another number. 9

What is the simplest fraction for 9?

Yes, 9

1= 9

Here’s a letter. H

What is the simplest fraction for H?Yes, H

1= H

Remember the simplest fraction for any value is that value over 1.

These fractions can all be written as a whole number.

What whole number does the fraction 7 equal?

1

Yes, 7

1= 7

What does 9 equal?

1

9

1= 9

125 equals what whole number?

1

Correct, 125 equals 125.

1

Your Turn.

Copy each fraction and write the whole number it equals.

1. 6

1

2. 4

1

3. 10

1

4. B

1

5. 68

1

Check your work.

=

=

=

=

=

6

4

10

B

68

Remember, when we look at pictures for whole numbers we can easily see why we can always write them as a fraction with a 1 on the bottom.

In this picture there are 4 whole circles shaded in.

Since each whole has 1 part we put a 1 on the bottom when we write the fraction.

4 parts are being used so we put a 4 on the top.

4 equals four.1

4

On your paper draw and shade circles for each whole number, then write the simplest fraction for that number.

5

1

1

1

3

1

Check your work.

Your Turn.

5

1

3

1.

2.

3.