standard_description: Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator (a/b = a ÷ b). Solve word problems involving division of whole numbers leading to answers in the form of fractions or mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. For example, interpret 3/4 as the result of dividing 3 by 4, noting that 3/4 multiplied by 4 equals 3, and that when 3 wholes are shared equally among 4 people each person has a share of size 3/4. If 9 people want to share a 50-pound sack of rice equally by weight, how many pounds of rice should each person get? Between what two whole numbers does your answer lie?
problem_activity: Narrative
The purpose of this Number Talk is for students to interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator. The strategies elicited here will be helpful later in the lesson when students match division situations, expressions, and diagrams. In this activity, students have an opportunity to notice and make use of structure (MP7) because the divisor stays the same.
Launch
Display one problem.
“Give me a signal when you have an answer and can explain how you got it.”
Activity
1 minute: quiet think time
Record answers and strategy.
Keep problems and work displayed.
Repeat with each problem.
Student Facing
Find the value of each expression mentally.
\(35 \div 7\)
\(1 \div 7\)
\(36 \div 7\)
\(37 \div 7\)
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
“What patterns do you notice?” (The solutions for
\(35 \div 7\)
,
\(36 \div 7\)
,
\(37 \div 7\)
increase by
\(\frac {1}{7}\)
)
“If we kept increasing the dividend by 1, what would be the next whole number quotient?” (6)


aligns: yes