Lesson 8

Compare Fractions to Benchmarks

Est. Class Sessions: 2–3

Daily Practice and Problems

Teacher Notes
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TIMS Task

  1. Brandon is wrong.
  2. Answers will vary. For example: If I cut one whole into 5 pieces, I will have smaller pieces than if I cut it into 4 pieces. So 2/5 is less than 2/4. Since 2/4 = 1/2, it follows that 2/5 is less than 1/2.
  3. Lee Yah is wrong.
  4. Answers will vary. For example: If one cake is cut into 6 pieces, each piece is bigger than if the cake is cut into 8 pieces. When numerators are the same and denominators are different, the larger denominator makes a smaller fraction.

DD. Pieces and Parts

Use fraction circle pieces. Brandon says that 2/5 is more than 1/2 because 1/2 is one pink piece and 2/5 has more pieces.

  1. Is Brandon right or wrong?
  2. Write a letter to Brandon explaining which is greater, 2/5 or 1/2, and why. Draw a picture in your letter.

Lee Yah says that 1/8 is more than 1/6 because eight is more than six.

  1. Is Lee Yah right or wrong?
  2. Write a letter to Lee Yah explaining which is larger, 1/6 or 1/8, and why. Draw a picture in your letter.