MaryFA

**Extended response questions:**  1. How can you tell if two fractions are equivalent? If they divide to the same number.

2. When is a fraction in simplest form? When you can't divide it by anything.

3. Why do you need to find a common denominator before adding or subtracting fractions?  Because if they are not the same then you might add or subtract them wrong. 4. 1/2-->1/4 : 1/4-->1/8 AND 1/3-->1/6 : 1/6--> _ Why did you put that answer? What is the relationship between these pairs of fractions? I put 1/9 because this looks like a pattern and it fits.

 5. Crozet Elementary teachers want students to only use #2 pencils or #2 mechanical pencils. To make that happen, the school will now provide all pencils, but we need to figure out what fraction of each kind the school should keep on hand. Several facts are known: 1. Mechanical pencils last twice as long as regular ones. 2. Mechanical pencils may only be used in grades 3, 4, and 5. 3. Mechanical pencils may not be used on bubble tests. 4. There are about the same number of students in grades K-2 as there are in grades 3-5. Using the information provided, what fraction of the total number of pencils should be mechanical pencils? Explain your decision in detail, using the facts. I think 1/4 should be mechanical pencils because half of the kids are in K-2 and half of the kids are in 3-5 and the kids won't use mechanical pencils on the bubble in tests.