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Recognize a whole

A whole is one complete object, shape, or collection considered as a single unit; its size depends on what has been designated as the unit. Recognizing the whole means distinguishing the complete quantity from a part or from a group of equal fractional parts, such as seeing that two halves or four fourths make one whole, without extending to improper fractions or more advanced fraction notation.

Detailed Explanation: Recognize a whole

A whole is one complete object or shape.

To recognize a whole:

  1. Look at the entire object.
  2. Check whether all of its parts are there.
  3. If the parts fit together to make the complete object, they make one whole.

Example:
A square is divided into 4 equal parts. All 4 parts are shown.

  • The 4 small parts fit together.
  • They make the complete square.
  • Nothing is missing.

So, the 4 parts make one whole square. We can say, “Four fourths make one whole.”

Learn by doing: Recognize a whole

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Fractions Halves - Do These Make a Whole


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