When do we use mixed numbers in the real world? A mixed number is a whole number, and a proper fraction represented together. It generally represents a number between any two whole numbers. Look at the given image, it represents a fraction that is greater than 1 but less than 2. It is thus, a mixed number. For example: 1, 3/4, 3 1/2 etc. They are formed by combining three parts: a whole number, a numerator, and a denominator. The numerator and denominator are part of the proper fraction that makes the mixed number. They are often used in real-world situations to represent a fraction or division of an object. This technique helps students understand the basics of division and the concepts of ratio and proportion. Real life examples - We can check our understanding of this skill by expressing the parts of a whole as mixed fractions while serving a pizza or a pie at home. Leftover pizzas, half-filled glasses of milk form examples of mixed fractions.

This is a really cool way of introduce what these are. I actually first saw this technique from a student teacher of mine that was a math major. It really makes sense for students that are seeing this for the first time to approach them in this way. Students will be given multiple figures that clearly are made up of sections. Those sections are either shaded or empty to replicate a numerator. If the figures are completely shaded, they represent a unit of one. As we advance, we ask students to make these drawings. These worksheets explains how to work with visual mixed numbers. Your students will use these activity sheets to learn how to interpret shaded divisions within shapes to derive a mixed number.