Decomposing Fractions - Grade 4 Worksheets

Decomposing fractions deals with the breaking down of a fraction or whole number into a sum of simpler parts. It provides a good foundation for  addition and subtraction of fractions, converting improper fractions to mixed fractions and also makes word problems easier. 

These worksheets aim to develop the skills and understanding of decomposing fractions by ensuring you can choose from a sufficient number of levels of worksheets with and without visual support, and where needed repeat a level with a different set of questions as many times as is needed.

There are 5 levels of worksheets with visual support which form a natural progression:

• Decompose fractions less than 1 to unit fractions

• Decompose fractions less than 1 to 2 fractions

• Decompose a fraction less than 1 to 3 fractions

• Decompose a Whole Number to 2 fractions

• Decompose an improper number then write as a mixed number  

Differentiation within each level

For each of the above there are a number of options available that will enable you to choose how much information your students need to complete a worksheet e.g. you may want them to:

-only to fill in the numerators for the decomposed fractions

• -write out the fully the fraction before and after decomposition using colored fraction bar 

• -color in the fraction bar

• -find the missing numerators or denominators using the shown numbers as clues 

How many worksheets are there ?

Lots and lots. There are 22 worksheet templates BUT at the click of a button numbers are randomised, so the questions change every time which allows you to create new worksheets at the same level  for extra practice or revision throughout the year or even give groups of pupils in your class different sets of questions again all at the same level. The multiple levels of worksheets means that you can differentiate from the very start and have the freedom to set the pace of work that you think is best for each student.

With these worksheets there is a simple example at the top of the page as a memory jogger

Numerical Worksheets

There are 2 further sets of worksheets with numerical based questions.
The first covers decomposing fractions to unit fractions and 2 or more fractions.
The second set has questions on decomposing improper numbers then writing them as mixed numbers.

Answers can be found on the second page of every worksheet, are automatically generated when you create a new worksheet.

As these NO PREP worksheets need little explanation, they are ideal if you need to leave work for a replacement teacher.

Blank Templates

In addition there are blank templates of each of the 5 formats above  that can be used for a more open-ended activity where students can create their own worksheets on decomposing fractions. 

Note
These resources are PDF documents and work with the official  Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows or Mac computers with the randomising buttons also working via a touchscreen (PC or Mac)or on an Interactive Whiteboard.

Common Core
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3 
Understand a fraction a/b with a > 1 as a sum of fractions 1/b.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3.B  

Decompose a fraction into a sum of fractions with the same denominator in more than one way, recording each decomposition by an equation. Justify decompositions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.