4th Grade Fractions Test Preparation Guide

How Should My Child Study for a 4th Grade Fractions Test?

At the end of the 4th grade fractions unit, your child will probably have to take a test. He should be prepared if he kept up with all the homework assignments and didn't miss any school. However, you can help him practice at home through review problems.

Begin studying for a 4th grade fractions test by going over any new vocabulary. During fractions units, kids probably learn the terms 'numerator' and 'denominator'. The numerator is a part of the whole (the top number) and the denominator is the whole (the bottom number). It's important that your child know what these terms mean in case they appear in any test questions.

Once you've finished reviewing vocabulary, give your child practice problems. Ask his teacher which fractions topics will be on the test and make worksheets with these types of problems. In 4th grade, students learn to add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators. They also learn to multiply fractions by using cross multiplication. Finally, students begin to convert fractions into decimals, such as 40/100 = 0.40.

Sample Problems

Addition and Subtraction

To add and subtract mixed numbers, you must first replace a mixed number with an equivalent fraction, also known as an improper fraction. To convert a mixed number into an improper fraction, multiply the denominator by the whole number and then add the numerator. For example, 2 3/4 can also be written as 11/4 because 4 x 2 + 3 = 11.

1. 2 1/3 - 4/3

For this problem, 2 1/3 can be rewritten as 7/3. Then, subtract like normal: 7/3 - 4/3 = 3/3. The answer for this problem is 1.

2. 2/5 + 4 3/5

Rewritten, this problem should look like this: 2/5 + 23/5. The answer is 25/5, which is simplified as 5.

3. 4 2/7 - 6/7

For this problem, the equation should look like this: 30/7 - 6/7 = 24/7.

Multiplication

In 4th grade, students learn to multiply whole numbers and fractions. For example, consider the problem 5 x 1/3. Begin by expressing the whole number as a fraction like this: 5 = 5/1. Then, multiply like normal: 5/1 x 1/3 = (5 x 1) / (1 x 3). The answer is 5/3.

1. 3 x 5/7

Rewritten, the problem should look like this: 3/1 x 5/7. As a result, the answer is 15/7.

2. 2/9 x 8

The answer is 2/9 x 8/1 = 16/9.

3. 21 x 4/5

For a challenge, include a larger whole number. The answer to this problem is 21/1 x 4/5 = 84/5.