Fractions as Unit Fractions
Write each fraction as a whole number times a unit fraction.
Fresh sheet anytime. Tap New sheet or reload for a different one. Tap + for up to 10.
This is sheet #143124601.
How to do it
- Look at the strip and count the pieces.
- Write the number of pieces in the first box.
- Write the unit fraction.
Teaching tip
The top number of the fraction is always the whole number you multiply by. This sheet is aligned with Common Core 4.NF.B.4.
About this worksheet
Fractions like 7/8 to write as 7 × 1/8, with strips on Fewer and Standard. Standard includes fractions more than 1, and More also goes the other way, like 4 × 1/5 = 4/5.
What kids practice
Fourth graders learn that a fraction like 5/4 is five copies of the unit fraction 1/4, so 5/4 = 5 × 1/4. Then they multiply a fraction by a whole number, like 3 × 2/5. Three groups of 2/5 is 2/5 + 2/5 + 2/5, which is 6/5. The shortcut is to multiply the top number and keep the bottom number, then change the answer to a mixed number when it is more than 1.
Watch for
- Multiplying both the top and the bottom number, like 3 × 2/5 = 6/15.
- Forgetting to change an answer like 6/5 to the mixed number 1 1/5 when asked.
- Mixing up which number in a story is the whole number and which is the fraction.
- Drawing the wrong number of groups on a picture or number line.
It's free to print, with Fewer, Standard or More on the page and an answer key. See the full multiplying a fraction by a whole number guide for 4th grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. How to Write a Fraction as Unit Fractions5/4 and 3/8 shown with fraction strips and written as sums of unit fractions and as 5 × 1/4 and 3 × 1/8. - See it all
3. How to Multiply a Fraction by a Whole Number3 × 2/5 shown as three groups of 2/5 with strips, as 2/5 + 2/5 + 2/5, with the multiply-the-top shortcut, and as jumps on a number line. 
4. Repeated Addition to MultiplicationSums like 2/5 + 2/5 + 2/5 to write as 3 × 2/5 and solve on graph paper. More adds up to five of the same fraction.
5. Multiply with Fraction StripsOne strip for each group to shade, like three strips of 2/3, then the product. More has up to four groups.
6. Multiply a Fraction by a Whole NumberProblems like 4 × 3/8 on graph paper with the × in a yellow square. Standard uses whole numbers to 9, and More also asks for each answer as a mixed number.
7. Jumps on a Number LineNumber lines cut into fourths, fifths, sixths and more to draw jumps like 3 jumps of 2/5. Fewer shows the jumps already drawn.
8. Fraction Times Whole Number Word ProblemsStories about running, pizza, flour, ribbon and water. More also asks which two whole numbers the answer is between.