Number Sense Math Example 4

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

medium

Without a calculator, is

\frac{7}{8}

closer to

\frac{1}{2}

or to

1

? Explain.

1
$\frac{7}{8}$ is missing only $\frac{1}{8}$ from a whole: $1 - \frac{7}{8} = \frac{1}{8}$ .
2
Distance from $\frac{1}{2}$ : $\frac{7}{8} - \frac{1}{2} = \frac{7}{8} - \frac{4}{8} = \frac{3}{8}$ .
3
Since $\frac{1}{8} < \frac{3}{8}$ , $\frac{7}{8}$ is closer to $1$ .

Answer

\frac{7}{8} \text{ is closer to } 1

Number sense with fractions means recognizing how far a fraction is from benchmark values like 0,

\frac{1}{2}

, and 1. Computing distances to each benchmark and comparing them is the key reasoning strategy.

About Number Sense

An intuitive understanding of numbers, their relative size, and how they relate to each other and to real quantities.

Without calculating exactly, determine which is greater: [formula] or [formula].

A school has 483 students. Each classroom holds about 30 students. Approximately how many classrooms

Place the following numbers on a mental number line from smallest to largest: [formula], [formula],