M2.4.8 For the adult
Adding and taking away parts
My friend says 1/4 + 1/4 is 2/8. Is that right?
What this chapter teaches
Fractions with the same bottom number add and take away by changing the tops and keeping the bottom. One quarter plus one quarter is two quarters, not two eighths.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- What is one quarter plus two quarters, and why does the bottom number stay the same?
- Why is one quarter plus one quarter not two eighths?
- How would you show five sixths take away two sixths on a number line?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Add fractions that have the same bottom number
- Take away fractions that have the same bottom number
- Show adding and taking away as hops on a number line
What they copy into their notebook
Same bottom number: add or take away the tops. Keep the bottom. 1/4 + 2/4 = 3/4. Two quarters of a bread make half the bread. 1/4 + 1/4 is 2/4, never 2/8.