lesson
Ten equal parts
1 · Learn
A tenth is one of ten equal parts of a whole. We write one tenth as 1/10. Ten tenths make one whole.
Imagine sharing three equal paper strips among ten people. Cut EACH strip into ten equal parts. Each person gets one tenth from each strip: three tenths of a strip altogether. So 3 divided by 10 is 3/10.
Fractions are numbers too. On a line from 0 to 2, split EACH whole-number interval into ten equal spaces. Count 8/10, 9/10, 10/10, 11/10, 12/10. Ten tenths is 1; twelve tenths is 1 and 2/10. The gaps stay equal as you pass 1.
2 · Worked example
Three shaded boxes out of ten equal boxes show 3/10 of one strip. Sharing three whole strips equally among ten people also gives each person 3/10 of a strip. On the number line, 13/10 is three tenth-steps after 1.
3 · Your turn
Share five whole strips equally among ten people. How much strip does each receive? Starting at 9/10, count three tenth-steps forwards.
Check your answer
Each receives 5/10 of a strip. The steps are 10/10, 11/10, 12/10; finish at 1 and 2/10.
4 · Apply your learning
Mark 0, 1 and 2 equally spaced on a line. Divide each whole interval into ten equal spaces. Locate 7/10 and 14/10; count backwards from 12/10 to 8/10. Use equal-sized paper strips to check.
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Use objects or a drawn model before relying on a rule. Explain each step, check the units and revisit with varied examples. An adult can read the instructions without supplying the answer.
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