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Lesson 7 of 19

A fraction of a whole number

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6 min

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Whitewash is white paint for walls. It covers 2/3 of a 12-panel wall. How many panels is that?

12 panels, 3 equal groups.
Step 1 of 4
  1. 12 panels, 3 equal groups.
  2. Shade 2 of the 3 groups.
  3. That is 8 panels.
  4. 12 ÷ 3 = 4, then 4 × 2 = 8.

Share, then take some shares

2/3 of 12 panels is 8 panels.

Divide by the bottom number. Multiply by the top number.

12 ÷ 3 = 4 panels in each group. Then 4 × 2 = 8. Two thirds of 12 is 8 panels.

Try three quarters of 20. 20 ÷ 4 = 5 in each group. Then 5 × 3 = 15.

Sometimes the total does not divide exactly. 12 ÷ 5 is not a whole number. The answer is still a fraction: 2/5 × 12 = 24/5. One fifth of 12 is 12/5, so two fifths are 24/5. That is 4 4/5.

Tap groups in the lab until the shaded part matches the fraction.

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Try the lab to finish this lesson.