Basic 5Mathematics22 min

Fraction Multiplication Models

A bakery cuts loaves into fractional parts and repeats those parts across several loaves.

Find two-thirds of each loaf.

The bakery keeps two-thirds of each of 5 loaves for sandwiches. Use shaded loaves to see why the result is more than 3 loaves.

Fraction Multiplication Models illustration

A bakery cuts loaves into fractional parts and repeats those parts across several loaves.

Find 2/3 of 5.

  1. Shade 2 thirds in each of 5 loaves, making 10 thirds.
  2. 10 thirds equals 3 wholes and 1 third.

Struggle support

Rescue lab

Fraction loaves before multiplication

Learners shade equal loaf parts before writing the multiplication statement.

Draw 5 wholes and split each into thirds.

Concrete

Cut each loaf into equal thirds.

Use real objects or counters before any written shortcut.

Visual

Circle the shaded thirds and regroup them into wholes.

Draw the model so each group, part, or place can be seen.

Symbol

Write 2/3 x 5 = 10/3 = 3 1/3.

Write the equation only after the visual model is stable.

Starting with a rule before identifying what each object represents.

Ask the learner to point to the unit, group, or column in the picture.

Name the unit first, then rebuild the written statement from the model.

Copying digits or symbols without keeping place value or units attached.

Ask which place, unit, or event each number belongs to.

Write labels beside the numbers before simplifying the answer.

Shade the requested fraction in every whole, then count the shaded parts.