standard_description: Express a fraction with denominator 10 as an equivalent fraction with denominator 100, and use this technique to add two fractions with respective denominators 10 and 100. (Students who can generate equivalent fractions can develop strategies for adding fractions with unlike denominators in general. But addition and subtraction with unlike denominators in general is not a requirement at this grade.) For example, express 3/10 as 30/100, and add 3/10 + 4/100 = 34/100.
Grade 4 expectations in this domain are limited to fractions with denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 100.
problem_activity: Narrative
This Number Talk encourages students to look for and make use of structure to mentally evaluate a series of subtraction expressions. The numbers preview some benchmark angle measurements students will see in upcoming lessons.
Launch
Display one expression.
“Give me a signal when you have an answer and can explain how you got it.”
1 minute: quiet think time
Activity
Record answers and strategy.
Keep expressions and work displayed.
Repeat with each expression.
Student Facing
Find the value of each expression mentally.
\(90 - 45\)
\(270 - 45\)
\(270 - 135\)
\(360 - 135\)
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
“What do these expressions have in common?” (The first number in each sequence is a multiple of 90.)
“How did this observation—that the first numbers are all multiples of 90—help you find the value of the differences?”
Consider asking:
“Who can restate _____’s reasoning in a different way?”
“Did anyone have the same strategy but would explain it differently?”
“Did anyone approach the expression in a different way?”
“Does anyone want to add on to _____’s strategy?”


aligns: no