ALGEBRA

Name
Lesson 6.8
Patterns with Fractions
Essential Question How can you use addition or subtraction to describe Number and Operations—
a pattern or create a sequence with fractions? Fractions—5.NF.A.1
MATHEMATICAL PRACTICES
MP5, MP7, MP8

Unlock
Unlock the
the Problem
Problem
Mr. Patrick wants to develop a new chili recipe for his restaurant. Each
batch he makes uses a different amount of chili powder. The first batch
uses 3 1_2 ounces, the second batch uses 4 5_6 ounces, the third uses 6 1_6 ounces,
and the fourth uses 7 1_2 ounces. If this pattern continues, how much chili
powder will he use in the sixth batch?

You can find the pattern in a sequence by comparing one term with the
next term.

STEP 1 Write the terms in the sequence as equivalent fractions with a

common denominator. Then examine the sequence and compare
the consecutive terms to find the rule used to make the sequence
of fractions.

+12
__
difference between terms
6

__, 45
31 __, 61
__, 71
__,…→ oz, oz, oz, oz terms with common denominator
2 6 6 2
batch 1 batch 2 batch 3 batch 4

STEP 2 Write a rule that describes the pattern in the sequence.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: (tr) ©alan becker/Getty Images

• Is the sequence increasing or decreasing from one term to the

next? Explain.

Rule: ________

STEP 3 Extend the sequence to solve the problem.

__, 45
31 __, 61
__, 71
__,
2 6 6 2 _, _

So, Mr. Patrick will use _ ounces of chili powder in the sixth batch.

Chapter 6 395
 Example Find the unknown terms in the sequence.

13 9 , 1__
__, 1___ 3 , 1___
3 ,
_ , _ , _ , ___ , __ 7 1
4 16 8 16 16 4

STEP 1 Write the terms in the sequence as equivalent fractions with a

common denominator.

_,_,_,_, _
? ,_
? ,_
? ,_ , _

STEP 2 Write a rule describing the pattern in the sequence.

• What operation can be used to describe a sequence that increases?

__
• What operation can be used to describe a sequence that decreases?

__
Rule: _____

Math MATHEMATICAL PRACTICES 1

STEP 3 Use your rule to find the unknown terms. Then complete Talk
the sequence above. Analyze How do you know
whether your rule for a
sequence would involve
addition or subtraction?

Try This!

A Write a rule for the sequence. Then find the

unknown term.
1,5
1___ __, 1 1
__ ___
12 6 _ , 3, 12

Rule: _____
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

B Write the first four terms of the sequence.

Rule: start at 1_4 , add 3_8

_,_,_,_

396
 Name

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B

Write a rule for the sequence.

1. _14, 1_2, 3_4, ... 2. _1, 1_, 5_, ...

9 3 9

Think: Is the sequence increasing or decreasing?

Rule: __ Rule: __

Write a rule for the sequence. Then, find the unknown term.

3,2
3. __ _, 3_ __
7 __, 85
4. 102_, 911 _, 4_
__ , ,
10 5 5 10 3 18 __ , 6
9 9

Rule: __ Rule: __

On
On Your
Your Own
Own
Write the first four terms of the sequence.

5. Rule: start at 5 3_4 , subtract 5_8 6. Rule: start at 3_8 , add __

3
16

_,_,_,_ _,_,_,_

7. Rule: start at 2 1_3 , add 2 1_4 8. Rule: start at 8_9 , subtract __

1
18

_,_,_,_ _,_,_,_

MATHEMATICAL
9. 7 Look for a Pattern Vicki started jogging. The first time she ran, she
PRACTICE

ran 16 mile. The second time, she ran 3_8 mile, and the third time, she ran __
__
3 9
16 mile. If she
continued this pattern, when was the first time she ran more than 1 mile? Explain.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

10. DEEPER
Mr. Conners drove 78 1_3 miles on Monday, 77 __
1
12 miles on Tuesday, and
75 5_6
miles on Wednesday. If he continues this pattern on Thursday and Friday, how
many fewer miles will he drive on Friday than on Tuesday?

Chapter 6 • Lesson 8 397

 MATHEMATICAL PRACTICES ANALYZE
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11. When Bill bought a marigold plant, it was 1_4 inch tall. After the first week,
it measured 1 __1 __
11
12 inches tall. After the second week, it was 1 12 inches.
After week 3, it was 2 3_4 inches tall. Assuming the growth of the plant was
constant, what was the height of the plant at the end of week 4?

12. SMARTERWhat if Bill’s plant grew at the same

rate but was 1 _12
inches when he bought it? How tall
would the plant be after 3 weeks?

13. SMARTER
Kendra hiked each day for a week. The first day
she hiked mile, the second day she hiked 3_8 mile, and the third day
_1
8
5_
she hiked mile.
8

What is the rule for the distance Kendra hikes each day? Show how you
can check your answer.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: (t) ©Getty Images
If the pattern continues, how many miles will Kendra hike on day 7? Explain how
you found your answer.

398
 Practice and Homework
Name
Lesson 6.8
Patterns with Fractions
COMMON CORE STANDARD—5.NF.A.1
Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add
and subtract fractions.

Write a rule for the sequence. Then, find the unknown term.
2
1. _1, _,5
__ , 1, 11_ 2. 13_, 13_, 21_, , 27_
2 3 _
6 6 8 4 8 _ 8

Think: The pattern is increasing. Add 1

__ to find
6
the next term.

Rule: ____ Rule: ____

9 __ 5
3. 1__,17, 3 __
, 1__,11 5 1_ __
4. 2__, 2 , 111, , 1__
10 10 _ 10 10 12 6 12 _ 12

Rule: ____ Rule: ____

Write the first four terms of the sequence.

5. Rule: start at 1_2 , add 1_3 6. Rule: start at 3 1_8 , subtract 3_4

Problem
Problem Solving
Solving
7. Jarett’s puppy weighed 3 3_4 ounces at birth. 8. A baker started out with 12 cups of flour. She had
At one week old, the puppy weighed 5 1_8 ounces. 9 1_4 cups of flour left after the first batch of batter
At two weeks old, the puppy weighed 6 1_2 ounces. she made. She had 6 1_2 cups of flour left after the
If the weight gain continues in this pattern, how second batch of batter she made. If she makes
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

much will the puppy weigh at three weeks old? two more batches of batter, how many cups of
flour will be left?

_______ _______
9. WRITE Math Make up your own sequence of 5 fractions or mixed
numbers. Offer the sequence to another student to try and find the next
fraction in the sequence.

Chapter 6 399
Lesson Check (5.NF.A.1)

1. What is a rule for the sequence? 2. Jaime biked 5 1_4 miles on Monday, 6 7_8 miles on
Tuesday, and 8 1_2 miles on Wednesday. If he
continues the pattern, how many miles will he
bike on Friday?

5 1_ 1_ 5_
_,1 ,2 ,2 ,…
6 2 6 6

Spiral Review (5.OA.A.2, 5.NBT.B.5, 5.NTB.B.7)

3. Jaylyn rode her bicycle in a bike-a-thon. She 4. One week a company filled 546 boxes with
rode 33.48 miles in 2.7 hours. If she rode at widgets. Each box held 38 widgets. How
the same speed, what was her speed in miles many widgets did the company pack in boxes
per hour? that week?

5. Write an expression that represents the
statement “Add 9 and 3, then multiply by 6.”
6. Mason took 9.4 minutes to complete the
first challenge in the Champs Challenge. © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
He completed the second challenge
2.65 minutes faster than the first challenge.
How long did it take Mason to complete
the second challenge?

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