Estimating Fraction Sums and Differences

5th Grade250 minutes

Learning Objective

I can estimate sums and differences of fractions and mixed numbers to the nearest half.

Key Concepts

When estimating the sum of two fractions, visualize each fraction to determine if it is more or less than one-half.

If you add two fractions together and each fraction is more than one-half, then the sum will be more than one whole.

Estimating fractions can be done by dividing a shape into equal sections to represent the denominator and shading in sections to represent the numerator.

Practice Questions

This lesson includes 12 practice questions to reinforce learning.

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1. Which fraction is closest to 1/2?

2. Estimate the sum of 2/5 + 5/8. Is the sum closer to 0, 1/2, or 1?

3. Is 7/12 closer to 0, 1/2, or 1?

...and 9 more questions

Educational Video

Estimating adding fractions with unlike denominators

Khan Academy

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