Helpful Hints!

Addition of Fraction:

1. Find a common denominator in order to solve

• Find your multiples to make a common denominator
• use an area model
• butterfly method

2. Simplify if needed

• (you can do this by dividing the numerator by the denominator when the fraction is IMPROPER)
• (divide by a special one to simplify a regular fraction--> i.e.. what number goes into both the numerator and denominator)

Subtraction of Fractions:

1. Find a common denominator in order to solve (same as addition)

2. Borrow from the whole number if needed

• borrow from the whole number and add what your denominator is to the current numerator

3. Simplify if needed 

Area Models (Expanded Notation)

Breaking up the factors being multiplied into their expanded form.

Ex: 21 X 6 would be--> (20 + 1) X (6)

Double and Half Method

In a multiplicatin problem you can double one number and half the other to get the same answer. 

Ex: 8 X 12 --> 4 X 24 --> 2 X 48 --> 1 X 96

Partial Products

Multiply two numbers by using more friendly numbers.

Ex: 12 X 42 --> (10 + 2) X (40+2)

10 X 40 = 400

10 X 2 =    20

2 X 40 =    80

2 X 2 =  +   4

         ------------

              504

Disk Visuals

Breaking up the dividend into expanded form then separating each expanded form into groups depending on the divisor.

Ex: 500 / 10

100                     10

100                     10

100   Divide 10    10     =   50

100                     10

100                     10

Other methods focused on in the classroom

Long Division

Friendly Division

Standard Algorithm

Vertical Number Lines (Rounding)

Strip Diagrams

3 Reads

*Use any method that works for you to solve! There is no one right way!