Maths
Fractions
Year One
Maths | Year 5 | Fractions | Mixed Number and Improper Fractions | Lesson 1 of 2: Converting Fractions
Need a coherently planned sequence of
lessons to complement this resource?
See our Fractions Steps to Progression document.
Twinkl PlanIt is our award-winning scheme of work with
over 4000 resources.
Aim
• To convert mixed numbers to improper fractions.
Success Criteria
• I can identify the properties of proper fractions, improper
fractions
and mixed numbers.
• I can represent fractions greater than 1 as diagrams.
• I can talk about the methods I use to convert mixed numbers.
Remember It
When the numerator
Did you draw
and denominator are
different diagrams? 2
the same number, the =
Did you remember 2
fraction is equivalent
to make each part
to one.
equal?
Draw diagrams to show these
fractions which are all equivalent to
one.
3 4
3 4
5
5
Fractions Less Than 1
Can you say the fractions shown here?
5
Three Five =
One quarters ninths 9
half
1 3
= =
2 4
Proper
All these fractions are fractions
less than one whole. Do
you know the name for
fractions less than one?
The Whole
To work with
fractions
Two greater
one
than 1, we need to
Three halves
one thirds
bemake
able to
onesay how
whole.
make one make
Fourparts
many one whole.
make
each one
Fivewhole whole.
quarters
onein the
fifths
different
make bars
one
Six one of a
whole.
sixths
fraction
make wall.
Sevenone whole.
make sevenths
Eight one whole.
eighths
make
Nineone
Ten whole.
onetenths
ninths
make one whole.
Complete the sentence stems out loud. The first is done
for you.
Mixed Numbers
This diagram shows a fraction greater than
1.
How many complete wholes are there?
There is one
1 complete
The fraction
whole.
2 part is one
half.
In the circle that isn’t a complete whole,
what fraction part is there?
When we describe a fraction
greater than 1 using wholes
and parts, this is called a mixed
number. 1
Here is how we write this 12
diagram as a mixed number.
Mixed Numbers
This diagram shows a fraction greater than
There are two 1.
How many complete wholes are there?
complete
wholes. How many extra fraction parts are there?
The fraction
part is one
1
third. 3
Can you write the
fraction as a mixed
number?
1
23
Mixed Numbers
This diagram shows a fraction greater than
1.
How many complete wholes are there?
How many extra fraction parts are there? There are
three
complete
Thewholes.
fraction
parts are three
fifths.
1 1 1
5 5 5
Can you write the 3
fraction as a mixed 35
number?
Mixed Numbers
Can you think of places you will see mixed numbers in everyday life?
Here are some examples of mixed numbers. Have a go at saying
them.
Improper Fractions
So far, we have described fractions
How many
greater than 1parts make the
as a mixed whole?
number
using
Thiswholes
is the and parts. We can also
denominator.
describe the same fractions as Two one-halves
How many
improper fractions
fractions . parts are
there altogether? make the whole.
The denominator
is 2.
1 1 1 There are three
2 2 2 one-halves in
the fraction.
The numerator
is 3.
Here is how we write this
diagram as an improper
fraction. We say it as three
halves. 3
In an improper fraction, the
numerator will always be 2
greater than the
denominator.
Improper Fractions
Three one-thirds This diagram shows a fraction greater than
make the 1.
How many parts make the whole?
whole. The
This is the denominator.
denominator is 3.
There are seven
one-thirds in How many fraction parts are
the fraction. there altogether?
The numerator
is 7.
Seven thirds 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Can you write this
diagram as an improper
fraction? How do you say 7
it? 3
Improper Fractions
This diagram shows a fraction greater than Five one-fifths
How
1. many parts make the whole? make the
This is the denominator. whole. The
How many fraction parts are there denominator is 5.
altogether?
1 1 1 1 1 There are eighteen
5 5 5 5 5 one-fifths in the
1 1 1 1 1 fraction. The
5 5 5 5 5 numerator is 18.
1 1 1 1 1
Eighteen fifths
5 5 5 5 5
1 1 1
5 5 5
Can you write this 1
diagram as an improper 85
fraction? How do you say
it?
Fractions Greater Than 1
Now, we can describe fractions greater than
1 as both mixed fractions and improper
fractions.
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
1 1 1
8 8 8
Mixed Remember mixed numbers Improper
Number and improper fractions are Fraction
3 1
18 two different ways of
describing the same 1
8
fraction greater than 1.
Fractions Greater Than 1
Can you write both the mixed number and
improper fraction for this diagram?
1 1 1 1 1 1
6 6 6 6 6 6
1 1 1 1 1 1
6 6 6 6 6 6
1 1 1 1 1
6 6 6 6 6
Mixed Improper
Number
5 Fraction
1
26 7
6
Converting to Improper
Fractions
Here is a mixed number. Let’s look at the different
methods
we can use to convert this to an improper fraction.
There are
three one-
quarters as
the parts. The denominator
in mixed numbers
3 and improper
3 =
There
fractions is the
are 3
same. So we only
wholes.
4 4 need to find the
numerator of the
improper fraction.
Each whole
has 4 equal
parts.
Converting to Improper
Fractions
The first method we can use is to draw a diagram
and count how many one-quarters there are
altogether.
1 1 1 1
4 4 4 4
3 1
3 =
1 1 1 1
4 4 4 4
4 5
4
1
4
1
4
1
4
1
4
1 1 1 1
4 4 4 4
Converting to Improper
Fractions
The second method we can use is repeated
addition.
3 1
3 4 = 5
4
We can see what repeated addition looks like on a bar
model.
4 4 4 3 1
+ + + =
4 4 4 4 54
Converting to Improper
Fractions
The third method we can use is multiplication.
Step 2: Add the
numerator.
+3 1
3 ×4 = 5
4
Step 1: Multiply
the whole number
by the
3×4=1
denominator.
1 +3=1
2
2 5
Converting to Improper
Fractions
Have a go at changing these mixed numbers into their
improper fraction equivalents. Discuss the methods
you use.
2 8 1 7 2 7
2 =33 3 =2 2 1 =55
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
3 3 3 2 2 5 5 5 5 5
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
3 3 3 2 2 5 5
1 1 1 1
3 3 2 2
1
2
Mixed Numbers to
Improper Fractions
Dominoes
Can you complete the domino snake by matching
the mixed numbers to their improper fraction
equivalent?
How to play:
• Spread the cards out face up
on the table.
• Find the card labelled start.
• Look carefully at the mixed
number shown on this card.
• Work together to convert
this to an improper fraction –
remember to talk about the
methods you use.
• Can you continue to match
the cards until you reach the
finish?
Diving into
Mastery
Dive in by completing your own activity!
Aim
• To convert mixed numbers to improper fractions.
Success Criteria
• I can identify the properties of proper fractions, improper
fractions
and mixed numbers.
• I can represent fractions greater than 1 as diagrams.
• I can talk about the methods I use to convert mixed numbers.