Exam Prep →

Fractions Homework: explain it without giving the answer

1 of 10

Fractions Homework: explain it without giving the answer

For parents: the number one mistake, the three questions that guide a kid, and the drawing trick.

Your kid doesn't need the answer. They need the right question.

What a fraction is, in one line

Equal parts of a whole. If the parts aren't equal, it isn't a fraction — that's where half the mistakes start.

The number one mistake

Adding the bottoms: 1/4 + 2/4 is not 3/8. The bottom number says how big the pieces are; if it's the same, it doesn't change. Only the top numbers add.

1/4 + 2/4 =


3/4. Same denominator: add the tops, keep the bottom.

Three questions that guide without solving

  1. «How many equal parts is it cut into?»
  2. «How many parts are we taking?»
  3. «Are the pieces the same size in both?»

Your kid says 1/8 is bigger than 1/4 «because 8 is more than 4». Best response?

  1. ASay no and repeat the rule
  2. BDraw one pizza in 4 pieces and one in 8, then compare a slice
  3. CDo the problem for them
  4. DLeave it for the teacher

With the pieces in front of them they discover it: more pieces means smaller pieces. What they discover, they keep.

Comparing without tricks

Always draw the same whole: two identical rectangles. At this age, comparing drawings beats cross-multiplying.

Five minutes with a drawing beats an hour of arguing.

Now do it with yours.

Paste your own study material and Claude writes the deck on your phone.

For parents: the number one mistake, the three questions that guide a kid, and the drawing trick.

Built from a photo of fractions homework, sent to Claude

Quiz answers, audio and your progress live in the app — where the AI adapts the deck to your own situation.

$12.99 once. Yours forever.

$19.99Launch price.

Coming soon to App StoreComing soon to Google Play
See how it is made →