Fourth graders learn to multiply a fraction by a whole number — discovering that 3 × 1/4 just means three copies of 1/4, which equals 3/4 — because multiplying is repeated addition.
Students will be able to…
You know 3 × 4 means three groups of 4. So what does 3 × 1/4 mean? Three copies of one-fourth!
Project this and change how many copies and the fraction. Watch the shaded parts add up — n copies of 1/d is n/d!
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
3 × 4 is three groups of 4 — so what is 3 × 1/4?
Teacher models.
Class uses Copies of a Fraction.
Students multiply.
One product.
Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
Multiply a fraction by a whole number.
Understand a fraction a/b as a multiple of 1/b.
Solve word problems involving multiplication of a fraction by a whole number.
Model fraction multiplication with drawings.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students multiply to get products greater than 1 (like 5 × 1/4 = 5/4) and rewrite them as mixed numbers. A printable fraction sheet is in the Math library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.