Non-unit fractions and fractions greater than one
I can build fractions like 3/4 and 5/4 from unit fractions and write fractions greater than one as mixed numbers.
Learn
If each glass holds 1/4 of a jug, what happens when you pour 5 glasses?
A non-unit fraction is made of several unit fractions. 3/4 means 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 — three fourth-sized parts.
The numerator counts how many unit parts you have. The denominator still tells the size of each part.
When the numerator equals the denominator, you have exactly one whole: 4/4 = 1.
When the numerator is larger, the fraction is greater than one. 5/4 is one whole and one more fourth, written as the mixed number 1 1/4.
Worked examples
Building 3/5
- Each part is 1/5.
- Three parts are shaded: 1/5 + 1/5 + 1/5.
- Together that is 3/5.
Going past one whole
- Seven fourths are shaded.
- Four of them fill the first whole: 4/4 = 1.
- Three fourths are left, so 7/4 = 1 3/4.
Explore
Increase the numerator past the denominator. Notice when a second bar appears and how the mixed number changes.
Guided practice
Use the hints as much as you like. You can try each question as many times as you need.
0 of 2 solved
What fraction is shaded?
How many copies of 1/3 make 5/3?
Independent practice
Answers are checked exactly — equivalent fractions count unless a question asks for a particular form.
0 of 4 solved
What fraction is shaded? (Each bar is one whole.)
Write 7/4 as a mixed number.
Write 2 1/3 as a fraction greater than one (an improper fraction).
Which fraction is equal to one whole?
Common mistakes
Writing 5/4 when the model shows 5 parts out of 8 across two bars.
Why it happens: When there are two bars, each bar is its own whole. The parts are still fourths.
What to do: Count the parts in one whole for the denominator, then count all shaded parts for the numerator.
Thinking a fraction can never be bigger than 1.
Why it happens: You can have more parts than fit in one whole — like 5 quarters of an hour.
What to do: Use more than one bar and keep counting unit fractions.
Lesson check
Three practice questions to check your understanding. Hints and retries are allowed, so this counts as practice — not mastery.
0 of 3 solved
How many fifths are in 1 2/5? Write the fraction.
Write 11/3 as a mixed number.
How many 1/8 pieces make 3/8?
Show mastery on your own
Ready? Answer 4 new questions with no hints and one try each. This is the only way a lesson is marked as mastered.
Start mastery check