The Equivalent fractions introduction exercise appears under the 4th grade (U.S.) Math Mission, 5th grade (U.S.) Math Mission and Arithmetic essentials Math Mission, Pre-algebra Math Mission and Mathematics I Math Mission. This exercise uses a visual model and the concept of part out of whole to better understand fractions that represent the same amount.
Types of Problems[]
There are four types of problems in this exercise:
- How to get same: This problems describes a little story where someone needs to get the same amount as another person using different denominations. The student answers the number of pieces the person will have to use to get the same amount.
How to get same
- Fraction shaded: This problem has a rectangle cut into several congruent pieces. The student is asked to determine what fraction of the rectangle is filled in with slanted lines.
Fraction shaded
- Count the blocks: This problem has two strips cut into different denominations. The student is asked how many blocks from the second strip are needed to make the shaded region from the first strip.
Count the blocks
- Same amount: This problem has an initial amount of a rectangular strip shaded. The student is asked to select which of the other strips has the same amount shaded as the first strip.
Same amount
Strategies[]
This exercise is easy to get accuracy badges because the size of the parts of the fraction are not too large, making it easy to count and work with. The speed badges are also easy because there is a fast turnover rate of problems.
- Fractions, when they are the answer, do not need to be reduced.
- On Count the blocks and Same amount it is much faster to answer them geometrically by looking at size than to actually count.
- On Count the blocks if user can quickly find out how many subdivisions are in one block, user can use that to multiply to the whole.
- A lot of the answers to How to get same are the same number. See if user can find out what it is!
Real-life Applications[]
- If it were not for fractions, something as simple as baking a cake would be impossible.
- Fractions are used in real life in many different ways, but they are most commonly used in the cooking, construction and science industries.