Max Maths, Year 4, Learn together, Mixed numbers (1)

In a Year 4 mathematics lesson, students are introduced to the concept of mixed numbers using a relatable scenario. Toby and Padma have melons, with Toby having two whole melons and Padma having half a melon. To understand how many melons they have in total, the lesson explores how to represent this quantity as a mixed number. A mixed number is explained as a number that consists of a whole part and a fraction part. For instance, when combining Toby and Padma's melons, they have 'two and a half' melons in total. This is an example of a mixed number because it includes whole melons (two) and a fraction of a melon (one-half).

The lesson then delves into the relationship between mixed numbers and improper fractions. It is shown that mixed numbers can be converted into improper fractions and vice versa. The example used is the mixed number 'two and a half', which can be understood in terms of halves. Since there are two halves in one whole melon, Toby's two melons are equivalent to four halves. Adding Padma's half melon gives a total of five halves. Therefore, the mixed number 'two and a half' can be expressed as the improper fraction five halves (5/2), demonstrating that these two representations are interchangeable and represent the same quantity.