Fractions

Fractions are rational numbers because they express the ratio between two whole numbers where the bottom number is not zero. There are three ways to think about fractions:

1. Region models are areas such as, "Fold you paper in half," or, "Give half of you cookie to a friend.
    
2. Number lines are distances along a line such as a ruler. For example, "Locate 2 1/2 on your ruler" or, "A foot is what part of a yard?"
    
3. Sets and collections are a model for part whole relationships in which actual size is not a factor. For example, "In a set of buttons what fraction has 2 holes?" and, "What fraction of the students in your class like pizza?"