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Fraction Classroom · 2.4.0 · Student pages

Share the leftover whole instead of discarding the remainder

Make an equal-share plan that allocates every whole and every fractional remainder, then recombine the shares to verify the total.

Anonymous group code: __________   Date: __________

Each group receives the same total. The leftover ribbon is split into four equal parts so nothing is discarded.RecipientWhole ribbonLeftover shareTotalGroup A1 m1/4 m1 1/4 mGroup B1 m1/4 m1 1/4 mGroup C1 m1/4 m1 1/4 mGroup D1 m1/4 m1 1/4 m
Each group receives the same total. The leftover ribbon is split into four equal parts so nothing is discarded.

Build the idea

model. Five identical 1-metre ribbons must be shared equally among four groups. How much ribbon should each group receive?

  1. Name the total amount and the recipient count: five metres are being shared among four groups. The question asks for metres per group.
  2. Distribute one whole metre to each group. Four metres have been allocated, leaving one metre that still belongs in the shared total.
  3. Partition the remaining metre into four equal parts and give one quarter to every group. Each group now has 1 + 1/4 metres.
  4. Check fairness and conservation separately. All four shares are equal, and 4 × 1 1/4 = 5 metres restores the original total.

Worked example: 1 1/4 metres per group. Give each group one whole ribbon, then cut the remaining ribbon into four equal quarter-metre parts.

Practise and explain

Try p1–p3 with a partner. Use a drawing and label your units. Try e1 independently before comparing responses.

p1. Share 3 metres equally among 4 groups. Enter metres per group.

p2. Share 7 metres equally among 3 groups. Enter metres per group.

p3. Share 2 metres equally among 5 groups. Enter metres per group.

e1. Share 11 metres equally among 4 groups with none left over. Enter metres per group and check the total.

Transfer the idea

transfer. Would the same cutting plan work if the objects were whole sealed boxes that must remain unopened? Explain what changes.