Activity Overview
This activity uses a number line to develop multiplication of a fraction by a whole number. It builds on the earlier concept that the product of two whole numbers r and s is r sets, each containing s elements.
About the Lesson
This TI-Nspire™ lesson uses a number line to develop multiplication of a fraction by a whole number. It builds on the earlier concept that the product of two whole numbers r and s is r sets, each containing s elements. Using the same reasoning in the context of a number line, the product of c and the fraction 
would be c copies of 
, which is equivalent to ca copies of 
. Students learn how to mark a “unit” such as 
on a number line (e.g., a product is sold in units of 
of a pound) and visualize the value of 5 copies of (e.g., the amount you would have with five units).
Students should be familiar with the following vocabulary: unit fraction, factors, improper fraction, and mixed number covered in earlier activities.
This is Lesson 9 out of 15 in the Building Concepts in Mathematics: Fractions Series.
Standards