Whole Numbers as Fractions

Axel and Tank are collecting seashells in their bucket, but, what's this? It looks like a wave washed a bottle ashore and look! There's a note inside! Axel and Tank rush over to read it... "Turn whole numbers to fractions and you'll reveal a giant treasure the ocean once concealed." [confused about what he's just read] "Huh...what do you think that means?" Let's learn about representing... "Whole Numbers as Fractions". Remember, fractions are a way of describing the relationship between equal parts of a whole. The numerator shows the number of equal parts we have and the denominator shows how many equal parts we need to make a whole. In this fraction, we have one of the three equal parts needed to make a whole. We can use this same idea when thinking about whole numbers as fractions. In whole number fractions, we have enough equal parts needed to make many wholes. We show this by writing the whole number as the numerator. For whole numbers, it only takes one part to make a whole so one can be written as the denominator of a whole number. Here we have three whole parts of one... so three written as a fraction is three over one, or three wholes. We could also say three divided by one equals three. Let's look at one third and three over one next to each other. Even though these fractions use the same digits, we can see with models that they represent different amounts. Let's help Axel turn the whole number five into a fraction. Remember, when whole numbers are represented as fractions, the whole number is written as the numerator. So our first step is to write five here. Since each number is only divided into one part... the second step is to write one in the denominator. This means the number five written as a fraction is five over one. It's Tank's turn to write the whole number ten as a fraction. What is the first step? The first step is to write ten as the numerator. What is the second step? The second step is to write one as the denominator. That means the whole number ten written as a fraction is ten over one. Now it's time for Axel and Tank to write seven as a fraction on the note and give the bottle back to the ocean. How can Axel write the whole number seven as a fraction? Seven as a fraction is written as seven over one! Before we see what the ocean reveals, let's review! Remember, fractions are a way of describing the relationship between equal parts and a whole. Numerators tell the number of equal parts you have. Denominators tell the numbers of equal parts it takes to make a whole. For whole numbers, it usually takes one equal part to make a whole so one can be written as the denominator of a whole number fraction. You can write any whole number as a fraction in two steps. First, write your whole number in the numerator position. Second, write one as the denominator. Now the whole number is shown as a fraction! What's this? "That seashell is gargantuan!" "We're definitely gonna need a bigger bucket."