Winter Fractions Word Problems Worksheets for 3rd Grade | Woo! Jr ... - Free Printable

Let's solve each of these fraction word problems step by step and explain the reasoning.

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Problem 1:

Andrew and Becky are sledding. Andrew made it 5/12 of the way down the hill and Becky made it 7/12 of the way down the hill. Who went further?

Solution:
We compare the two fractions:
- Andrew: $ \frac{5}{12} $
- Becky: $ \frac{7}{12} $

Since both have the same denominator (12), we can compare the numerators directly:
$ 5 < 7 $, so $ \frac{5}{12} < \frac{7}{12} $

✔ Becky went further.

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Problem 2:

A group of boys made a pile of snowballs. Charles made 1/3 of the snowballs and Danny made 1/5 of the snowballs. Who made more?

Solution:
Compare $ \frac{1}{3} $ and $ \frac{1}{5} $

To compare, find a common denominator. The least common denominator of 3 and 5 is 15.

Convert:
- $ \frac{1}{3} = \frac{5}{15} $
- $ \frac{1}{5} = \frac{3}{15} $

Now compare: $ \frac{5}{15} > \frac{3}{15} $

✔ Charles made more snowballs.

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Problem 3:

Eddy and Francis are making blocks for an igloo. Eddy made enough blocks to make 1/8 of the igloo and Francis made enough blocks for 1/10 of the igloo. Who made the most blocks?

Solution:
Compare $ \frac{1}{8} $ and $ \frac{1}{10} $

Find a common denominator. LCM of 8 and 10 is 40.

Convert:
- $ \frac{1}{8} = \frac{5}{40} $
- $ \frac{1}{10} = \frac{4}{40} $

Now compare: $ \frac{5}{40} > \frac{4}{40} $

✔ Eddy made the most blocks.

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Problem 4:

Grace and Harry are repairing skis. Grace repairs 3/13 of the skis and Harry repairs 12/15 of the skis. Who repaired the most skis?

Solution:
Compare $ \frac{3}{13} $ and $ \frac{12}{15} $

First simplify $ \frac{12}{15} $:
$ \frac{12}{15} = \frac{4}{5} $

Now compare $ \frac{3}{13} $ and $ \frac{4}{5} $

Use common denominator: LCM of 13 and 5 is 65.

Convert:
- $ \frac{3}{13} = \frac{15}{65} $
- $ \frac{4}{5} = \frac{52}{65} $

Now compare: $ \frac{15}{65} < \frac{52}{65} $

✔ Harry repaired the most skis.

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Problem 5:

Many students have the winter flu. In Ms. Smith's class only 1/2 the students are present. In Mr. Jones's class only 1/4 of the students are present. Which class has the most students absent?

Solution:
We are told:
- Ms. Smith’s class: $ \frac{1}{2} $ present → so $ 1 - \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{2} $ absent
- Mr. Jones’s class: $ \frac{1}{4} $ present → so $ 1 - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{4} $ absent

Compare the absent fractions:
- Ms. Smith: $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{2}{4} $
- Mr. Jones: $ \frac{3}{4} $

Clearly, $ \frac{3}{4} > \frac{2}{4} $

✔ Mr. Jones's class has the most students absent.

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Becky went further.
2. Charles made more snowballs.
3. Eddy made the most blocks.
4. Harry repaired the most skis.
5. Mr. Jones's class has the most students absent.

Let me know if you'd like a visual explanation or fraction models!