Max Maths, Year 6, Learn together, Fractions in their simplest form (1)

In a lesson designed for Year 6 pupils, the concept of fractions in their simplest form is explored through practical examples. The lesson uses the context of fruit to make the concept more tangible for students. For instance, Padma has a collection of fruit comprising 3 apples and 2 pineapples. To determine what fraction of her fruit are apples, students are guided to consider the total number of fruit, which in this case is 5. They then identify that 3 out of these 5 fruits are apples, leading them to express the fraction of apples as 3/5. This fraction is already in its simplest form, representing three-fifths of Padma's fruit.

Building on this example, the lesson encourages students to apply their understanding to find the fraction of Padma's fruit that are pineapples. With two pineapples out of the total five pieces of fruit, students can deduce that the fraction representing pineapples is 2/5, or two-fifths. This exercise not only reinforces the method of expressing fractions but also highlights the importance of simplifying fractions where necessary to make them easier to understand and use. Through such interactive examples, students learn to identify and write fractions in their simplest form, a fundamental skill in dealing with fractions in mathematics.