Math 5/6

October 14, 2008

Equivalent Fractions/Fractions Greater Than One

The Licorice Challenge:

On the Parade Field Trip last week, Ryden and his friend brought a licorice lace that was 48 inches long to share with their classmates.  The licorice is difficult to break into pieces, but Ryden can mark the licorice lace by cutting partway through.  Then it will be easier to break and share later.

1. At first, there were four people in Ryden’s group.  How should Ryden mark the lace so that each person gets a fair share?  Draw a picture ( use a ruler and make your lace 4 inches long) and label one hiker’s share.

2.  Two more students join the group.  Each also would like to share in the licorice.  Ryden has to add more marks to the licorice.  He is stuck with the marks that he has already made.  Ryden makes new marks so that the new marks together with the old marks make equal sized pieces. 

Draw a picture to show how Ryden can add more marks to the licorice lace so it has equal size pieces and can be broken to serve six people.  Label one hiker’s share.

What fraction of the licorice lace will each of the six hikers get?

3.  Well – two more students want to join in.  Poor Ryden must remark the licorice lace he made for six people with additional marks to include eight people.  He must keep the marks he already has, but add new marks to form equal sized pieces to break off and share among eight people.  How should he remark the lace?

Draw a picture and label one hiker’s share of the licorice lace.

How many inches will each person get?