Number Sense

Activity 1: The Cookie Caper

3

Wrap-up

♦Have students make a list of the fractions they think are equivalent to each other.

♦Have students enter their equivalent fractions into the TI-73 and change each to a decimal using > (fraction-to-decimalfunction). Discuss why these equivalent fractions also have the same decimal value.

Example Press Y = Q > b.

The display shows .25 as the decimal equivalent for ¼.

Then enter [ = Y Z > b.

The display again shows .25 as the decimal equivalent.

♦Now have students make a diagram of their final cookies next to their original diagrams. Have them label the new fractional parts and decimal amounts.

Extensions

♦Older students: Change the decimals to percents and have a pie chart of all three amounts—fractions, decimals, and percents.

♦All students: Cut their pieces in half, name the fractional parts, and trade again for another set time period. Investigate:

Did they make equivalent trades?

Was it easier this time, or more difficult?

Does the new fractional cookie still add up to a whole cookie on the TI-73?

© 1998 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED