Students multiply two fractions using an area model and discover that multiplying tops and bottoms works because you’re finding a part of a part — which makes the answer smaller, not bigger.
Students will be able to…
Half of a half is a quarter — smaller than either. Why does multiplying two fractions make the answer SMALLER, and how do you find it?
Project this and set two fractions. One shades columns, the other shades rows — the overlap is the product. Watch it get smaller as you multiply parts of parts.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
What is half of half a pizza?
Teacher models.
Class drives the Fraction Grid.
Students multiply fractions.
Solve half of a half.
Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, including the Standards for Mathematical Practice.
Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction by a fraction.
Find the area of a rectangle with fractional side lengths by tiling and multiplying.
Solve real-world problems involving multiplication of fractions.
Model with mathematics using an area model.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students find the area of a rectangle with fractional side lengths (like 2/3 by 3/4) by tiling it and multiplying. A printable area-model grid is in the Math library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.