What Does It Mean to Decompose Fractions?
Decomposing fractions means breaking them down into smaller parts that add up to the original fraction.
Just like you can break a chocolate bar into smaller pieces, you can break fractions into smaller fractions that add up to the whole! There are often multiple ways to do this, which makes it fun to explore different combinations.
How to Decompose Fractions
1️⃣ Choose your fraction (like 5/6 or 3/4)
2️⃣ Think of smaller fractions that add up to your original fraction
3️⃣ Check your work by adding the smaller fractions together
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: Decompose 7/8
Can you find three different ways to break down 7/8? Here's one way to start:
Your combination:
Example 2: Pizza Fraction Challenge
Imagine a pizza cut into 6 slices. If you ate 5/6 of the pizza, how could you have eaten it in different combinations?
Your pizza eating plan:
Parent Tips 🌟
- Use real-world examples: Cut fruits or sandwiches into fractions to show decomposition in action.
- Make it a game: Challenge your child to find as many ways as possible to decompose a fraction - turn it into a competition!
- Connect to addition: Show how fraction decomposition relates to adding fractions with the same denominator.