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      Explain how a mixed number is composed

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how a mixed number is composed.

      Key learning points

      1. Mixed numbers are composed of a whole number part and a fractional part.
      2. The composition of mixed numbers can be written as an addition equation, adding the whole part and the fractional part.
      3. Mixed numbers can be represented on a part-part-whole model.
      4. The part-part-whole model can be used to form addition and subtraction equations.

      Keywords

      • Mixed number - A mixed number is a whole number and a fraction combined. For example, one and a half is a mixed number.

      • Composition - The composition of a whole number is the way in which the whole number is made up. For example, ten is composed of seven and three.

      Common misconception

      Children may be confused about how to write mixed numbers. Children may say 'five and one-eight, rather than five and one-eighth.

      As a school, establish how mixed numbers will be recorded so that you have consistency. Ensure children are accurately expressing the fraction part.

      Teacher tip

      Make links between prior learning where children describe the additive relationship of a whole numbers by generating eight equations.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Look at the part-part-whole model. 100 is made of 75 and

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 25

      Q2.
      Mixed numbers always have a value that is __________ than one.

      smaller
      thinner
      wider
      Correct answer: greater
      less

      Q3.
      Look at this mixed number $$5{{3} \over {12}}$$ We say it as and three one-twelfths.

      Correct Answer: five, 5

      Q4.
      Look at this mixed number $$7{{3} \over {8}}$$ We say it as ‘seven and three- .

      Correct Answer: eighths

      Q5.
      Look at this table then complete the sentence: Three and a hours were spent swimming in total.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: quarter

      Q6.
      Jacob has a three metre length of rope. Sophia has one-half a metre length of rope. How many metres of rope do they have altogether?

      $$3{{2} \over {1}}$$
      Correct answer: $$3{{1} \over {2}}$$
      $$2{{1} \over {3}}$$
      $$2{{3} \over {1}}$$

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Look at the part-part-whole model. What is the missing part?

      An image in a quiz
      $$ {9} \over {6}$$
      $$ {1} \over {7}$$
      Correct answer: $$ {6} \over {9}$$
      $$ {6} \over {7}$$

      Q2.
      Which addition expression represents the composition of the mixed number, $$5{{1} \over {3}}$$?

      1 + $$ {3} \over {5}$$
      3 + $$ {1} \over {5}$$
      Correct answer: 5 + $$ {1} \over {3}$$
      5 + $$ {3} \over {1}$$

      Q3.
      4 + $$ {1} \over {9}$$ describes the composition of which mixed number?

      $$2{{1} \over {9}}$$
      Correct answer: $$4{{1} \over {9}}$$
      $$9{{1} \over {4}}$$
      $$4{{9} \over {1}}$$

      Q4.
      + $$ {3} \over {12}$$ = $$2{{3} \over {12}}$$

      Correct Answer: 2, two

      Q5.
      Use the part-part-whole model to complete this equation. $$5{{3} \over {12}}$$ = + $$ {3} \over {12}$$

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 5, five

      Q6.
      Complete this equation. $$10{{3} \over {4}}$$ = + $$ {3} \over {4}$$

      Correct Answer: 10, ten

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