Today we are going to look at some examples of word problems with fractions.
Although they may seem more difficult, in reality, word problems involving fractions are just as easy as those involving whole numbers. The only thing we have to do is:
- Read the problem carefully.
- Think about what it is asking us to do.
- Think about the information we need.
- Solve it.
- Simplify, if necessary.
- Think about whether our solution makes sense (in order to check it).
As you can see, the only difference in fraction word problems is step 5 (simplify).
There are some word problems which, depending on the information provided, we should express as a fraction. For example:
In my fruit basket, there are 13 pieces of fruit, 5 of which are apples.
How can we express the number of apples as a fraction?
5 – The number of apples (5) corresponds to the numerator (the number which expresses the number of parts that we wish to represent).
13 – The total number of fruits (13) corresponds to the denominator (the number which expresses the number of total possible parts).
The solution to this problem is an irreducible fraction (a fraction which cannot be simplified). Therefore, there is nothing left to do.
Word problems with fractions: involving two fractions
In these problems, we should remember how to carry out operations with fractions.
Carefully read the following problem and the steps we have taken to solve it:
Maria spent 
of the money her grandparents gave her on an adventure book. She also spent 
of the money on a bag of candy.
What fraction of the payment has Maria spent?
We find the common denominator:
We calculate:
Answer:
Word problems with fractions: involving a fraction and a whole number
Finally, we are going to look at an example of a word problem with a fraction and a whole number. Now we will have to convert all the information into a fraction with the same denominator (as we did in the example above) in order to calculate
This morning Miguel bought 1 pound of anchovies. In order to eat with his family, he used
of a pound. How much does he have left in the refrigerator?
We convert 1 into a fraction with the same denominator:
We calculate:
Answer:
What do you think of this post? Do you see how easy it is to solve word problems with fractions?
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Learn More:
- Understand What a Fraction Is and When It Is Used
- Fraction Word Problems: Addition, Subtraction, and Mixed Numbers
- Learn and Practice How to Subtract or Add Fractions
- Learn How to Subtract Fractions
- Review and Practice the Two Methods of Dividing Fractions
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Hi can you not show the answer till the bottom of the page or your giving away the answer so if you solved number one problem the number one aware to the question will be there at the bottom of the page because it is way to easy if it is right there
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Hi Letlhogonolo,
Thank you very much for your comment.
If you want to learn more content like this and practice elementary school math, just sign up at Smartick. You have a free trial period with no strings attached.
If you have any additional questions or doubts you can write to my colleagues of the pedagogical team at [email protected].
Best regards!
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Roll two dices, the first dice is the numerator, the second is the denominator, this is the first fraction. Roll both dices again and repeat the process to generate the second fraction. Write a division story problem that incorporates these two fractions.
Seems easy of the examples but when I have fraction word promblems in front of me then its still hard for me to figure it out.The examples on this site still is helpful.I will use the site that you give on here to get further practice.Thank you for the examples on here
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I think it was really good how you are helping fellow students! But I think you can improve if there were more problems for solving! Thanks
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