Session 19: Multiplication and division of fractions

Session Title 

 

 

 Multiplication and division of fractions 

 

 

 

 

 Objective 

 

 

 

 Understand and apply the concepts of multiplying and dividing fractions. 

 Collaborate effectively in groups to solve real-world problems. 

 Communicate mathematical thinking and strategies with peers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Topics/Concept 

 

 

 

 Understand and apply multiplication of fractions using models. 

 Understand and apply the division of fractions using real-life scenarios. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Materials Required 

 

 

 

 Fraction tiles or strips 

 Grid paper or printed fraction models 

 Paper plates and scissors (for creating fraction pieces) 

 Whiteboard and markers 

 fraction cards 

 

 

 

 

 

 Methodology 

 

 

 

 Activity-based learning: group work 

 Experienced learning: relating fractions to real life 

 

 

 

 

 

 Session Duration 

 

 90 Minutes 

 

 

 

 

   

 Introduction Activity (20 minutes): 

 The teacher explains a scenario: “You’ve got a garden bed that covers 1/2 of your backyard. You want to plant carrots in 1/3 of that garden bed. How much of your backyard will be used for carrots?” 

 Step-by-Step Explanation: 

 

 1. Start with the whole backyard – think of it as 1 whole. 

 2. 1/2 of the backyard is used as a garden bed. 

 That means half of your total space is now dedicated to gardening. 

 3. Now, you only want to use 1/3 of that garden bed for carrots. 

 

 So you're taking a fraction (1/3) of another fraction (1/2). 

 Mathematically, that means you multiply: 

 1/3 × 1/2 = 1/6 

 That means: You can draw a rectangle 

 Shade half of it (that’s the garden bed). 

 Then, within the shaded half, divide it into 3 equal parts and shade 1 of them (that’s the carrots). 

 You’ll see 1 out of the 6 parts of the whole rectangle is shaded — which shows 1/6. 

 Main Activity (55 minutes): 

 Activity 1: Multiply It! (20 minutes) 

 "Pizza Plate Fractions" (Hands-on Activity) 

 Divide students into small groups 

 Instructions: 

 

 1. Give each group paper plates. 

 2. Have them cut the plate into halves, fourths, eighths, etc. 

 3. Use the slices to represent multiplication of fractions.    

 

 

 Example: Multiply 2/3 × 1/2 using paper pieces and place them on a template. 

 Group Task: 

 Key Questions to Ask: 

 What happens when we multiply two fractions 

 Is the product bigger or smaller than the original fractions? 

 Activity 2: Divide and Discover (20 minutes) 

 Start with a real-world example: 

 “You have 1 pizza and want to share it with friends. Each person gets 1/4 of a pizza. How many people can you feed?” 

 

 Use paper models or drawings: 

 Cut the pizza into fourths. 

 Count how many 1/4s in 1 whole: 1 ÷ 1/4 = 4 

 

 Explain the Rule (Reciprocal Method). Once they understand the concept: 

 

 Division by a fraction means multiplying by the reciprocal. 

 

 > 1 ÷ 1/4 = 1 × 4 = 4 

 2/3 ÷ 1/6 = 2/3 × 6/1 = 12/3 = 4 

 "Sharing Cookies" Division Challenge(15 minutes) 

 Instructions: 

 

 Each group gets a “cookie card” with division  problems (e.g., You have 3 cookies. Each person gets 1/2 of a cookie. How many people can you serve?) 

 Use fraction strips or draw on paper to find answers. 

 Groups record solutions and explain their reasoning. 

 Sample Problems: 3 ÷ 1/2 = ? 1 ÷ 1/4 = ? 2/3 ÷ 1/6 = ? 5/4 ÷ 7/8 = ? 

 

 Review Questions (10 minutes): 

 Bring students together to share: 

 One multiplication and one division problem they solved 

 

 What was tricky? 

 How did their group help each other? 

 

 Follow-up Tasks (5 minutes): 

 

 

 ¾ × 2/4 

 

 

 5/8 × 1/3 

 

 

 2 ÷ 3/6 

 

 

 5/6 ÷ 7/8 

 

 

 Expected Learning Outcome: 

 Knowledge building: 

 

 Expert in multiplication and division of fractions 

 

 Skill Building: 

 

 Self-awareness 

 Social awareness 

 Responsible decision-making 

 Relationship skills