This is a level 3 number activity from the Figure It Out series. It relates to Stage 6 of the Number Framework.
A PDF of the student activity is included.
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find fractions of 1000
This activity looks at finding fractions of one thousand.
Check where students would put the start label. It should go before the first step, not on it. When the students put the 1/2 way up sign at the 500th step, they should explain their choice as “Halfway is 500 out of 1 000, so we place the sign at the 500th step.”
A number line or a metre rule would be a useful aid for students.
After students have found the solutions, ask them to investigate the equivalences with 1 000.
A chart similar to the one below would be useful here.
Answers to Activity
1. Start – Before step 1
1/4 way up – step 250
1/2 way up – step 500
3/4 way up – step 750
1/3 way up – between step 333 and step 334
2/3 way up – between step 666 and 667
2. 1 000 is not evenly divisible by 3.
3. 3/8 way up
4. She has run up 400/1 000 of the steps, so she still has 600/1 000 (6/10 or 3/5) of the steps to climb.
5. 375/1 000 (3/8)