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Checking and securing understanding of calculating with fractions and decimals

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can evaluate an expression involving decimals and fractions.

Key learning points

  1. Where a calculation contains a mixture of fractions and decimals, conversion is useful.
  2. Fluent use of your calculator is useful for both calculating and checking.
  3. Equivalent fractions can help to reduce the complexity of calculations.

Keywords

  • Equivalent fractions - Two fractions are equivalent if they have the same value.

  • Reciprocal - A reciprocal is the multiplicative inverse of any non-zero number. Any non-zero number multiplied by its reciprocal is equal to 1

Common misconception

The incorrect input of a mixed number is common i.e some pupils press a number then the fraction button. Others inefficiently sum the integer and proper fraction.

Reiterating the mixed number button is located above the proper fraction button.

Teacher tip

Emphasise having a calculator and knowing how to use it are two different things. Generally, students have different calculators. Giving pupils time in class to familiarise themselves with their calculator and where certain functions are is important, especially using the "shift" key.

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.
Write $$\frac {3}{5}$$ as a decimal.

Correct Answer: 0.6

Q2.
Convert 20.2 into a mixed number.

$$20 \frac{2}{5}$$
$$20 \frac{2}{100}$$
Correct answer: $$20 \frac{1}{5}$$

Q3.
Convert 8.8 into a mixed number.

Correct answer: $$8 \frac{4}{5}$$
$$8 \frac{8}{100}$$
$$ \frac{88}{10}$$

Q4.
Which of these is equivalent to 0.09?

$$\frac{9}{10}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{9}{100}$$
$$\frac{9}{1000}$$

Q5.
Which of these is equivalent to 0.85?

$$\frac{85}{1000}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{17}{20}$$
$$\frac{42}{50}$$

Q6.
Which of these is equivalent to 0.216?

$$\frac{213}{100}$$
$$\frac{21}{120}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{27}{125}$$

6 Questions

Q1.
Calculate 0.3 + 0.34

Correct Answer: 0.64

Q2.
Calculate 0.28 + 0.36

Correct Answer: 0.64

Q3.
Calculate 0.96 - 0.47

Correct Answer: 0.49

Q4.
Calculate 0.3 - 0.93

Correct Answer: -0.63, -.63

Q5.
Calculate $$\frac{3}{5} + \frac{2}{7}$$

$$\frac{5}{12}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{31}{35}$$
$$\frac{10}{35}$$

Q6.
Calculate 0.3 × 0.2, giving your answer as a decimal.

Correct Answer: 0.06

To help you plan your 10 maths lesson on: Checking and securing understanding of calculating with fractions and decimals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...