Multiplication of Fractions As Parts of A Group

Multiplication of fractional numbers can be represented as parts of a group.

Background information: Multiplication of a fractional number with a whole number, may be thought of as a fractional part OF a group. 3/5 OF 10 Can be thought of as how much would be in THREE small groups, if the ten were divided into five equal groups. 1/5 + 1/5 + 1/5 + 1/5 + 1/5 = ONE GROUP (of ten).

3/5 OF 10 represented with Cuisenaire rods:

If white = one, then orange = 10

Think what rod could be used five times to match an orange?

Use this rod to be 1/5 of ten and then use repeated addition and add two more red rods.

Place them on top of the orange rod to compare them.

These three red rods represent 3/5 of orange (10) or 6 (white).

Activity: Illustrate multiplication of a fractional number and whole number by dividing a group into equal parts and select the fractional number of parts.

Solve problems like the following:

1/3 x 9	1/4 x 12
1/3 x 12	1/5 x 15
2/5 x 10	3/4 x 12
3/5 x 15	1/5 x 5
1/5 x 20	3/5 x 10
1/4 x 12	2/3 x 18
3/4 x 12	3/4 x 16
2/3 x 12	2/3 x 21