Decimal Spotting

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Purpose

This is a level 4 number activity from the Figure It Out series. It relates to Stage 7 of the Number Framework.
A PDF of the student activity is included.

Achievement Objectives
NA4-5: Know the equivalent decimal and percentage forms for everyday fractions.
Student Activity

Click on the image to enlarge it. Click again to close. Download PDF (175 KB)

Specific Learning Outcomes

convert between fractions and decimals

Required Resource Materials
photocopy of the Decimal Spotting number lines

felt pens (different colour for each player)

FIO, Levels 3-4, Basic Facts, Decimal Spotting, page 24

classmate

Activity

To play this game, students need to be able to compare and order fractions according to their decimal value. The game will give them practice in converting fractions to decimals and vice versa.
Get the students to play several rounds in pairs so that they see the relationship between fractions and decimal fraction positions. If they are unsure where their fraction would go on the number line, encourage them to relate it to a known fraction. For example, 1/9 is a little bit more than 1/10, and 1/10 = 0.1. (If they use a calculator, they will see that 1/10 = 1 ÷ 10, which is equal to 0.1.) Also encourage the students to think about a position that would block off their opponent.
There are several equivalent fractions that the students could make from the numbers in the box, and this reduces the positions available. A possible follow-up activity could be to find the equivalent fractions and find out how many different ways they can be made. For example, 1/2, 2/4, 3/6, 4/8, and 5/10 are all equivalent to 0.5.
If the students play the game with small markers (for example, coloured sticks or toothpicks), they could re-use the same copymaster.
A possible variation could be to relate fractions to percentages, using the same rules and number matrix.

Answers to Activity

A game using decimal fractions

Attachments
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Level Four