Minds On
Pancake fractions
A baker wants to make pancakes for breakfast and decides to consult a recipe. All of the ingredients in the recipe are represented using decimals, but the measuring cups use fractions!
Description
Five measuring cups organized from biggest to smallest from left to right. The first cup is marked "1 cup or 250 ml", the next cup is marked "3/4 cup or 175ml", the third cup is marked "1/2 cup or 125m", the fourth cup is marked "1/3 cup or 75 ml", and the last cup is marked "1/4 cup or 50ml."
The baker needs 0.5 cups of milk and 0.5 cups of flour. Help the baker decide which measuring cup they should use.
If possible, discuss your ideas with a partner.
In this learning activity, we will learn to express 0.1, or a tenth, as a fraction with ten as a denominator.
Action
Decimals and fractions
Access the following episode of Homework Zone. In this video, Teacher Troy gives a lesson about fractions and decimals.
As Troy teaches us, the denominator tells us the total number of equal parts in the whole. In the fraction the denominator is 3.
In Troy’s lesson, they share that or one-half is equal to 0.5 or five-tenths. You can check that with a calculator.
Calculator practice
Use a calculator to input 1 ÷ 10 (one divided by ten).
Make sure you input the number 1 first, then the ÷ symbol and then 10, and then
press = .
Repeat this again, but this time try 4 divided by 10 or 4 ÷ 10.
Make sure you input the number 4 first, then the ÷ symbol and then 10, and then
press = .
Repeat this again, but this time try 8 divided by 10 or 8 ÷ 10.
Make sure you input the number 8 first, then the ÷ symbol and then 10, and then
press = .
Tenths as decimals and fractions
One dime, or 10¢, is a tenth of a dollar ($1.00, or loonie) because 10 dimes equal $1.00 (a dollar).
As a fraction, one dime will be represented as
How would you represent other amounts of dimes? Complete the following fillable document Dime Fractions to demonstrate how dimes would be represented as decimals and fractions. You can also complete this activity in your notebook.
What do you notice about the decimal number and fraction value for 10 tenths?
What do you notice about the decimal number and fraction value when we have more than 10 tenths?
Use the following fillable document Tenths Chart to record the decimal and fraction for tenths with a value greater than 10 tenths. You can also complete this activity in your notebook.
There are various ways we can represent 5 tenths.
Use the three image examples above to show 5 tenths.
As a challenge, express 3 of the following choices as a fraction and in another way.
- 1 tenth
- 2 tenths
- 3 tenths
- 6 tenths
- 7 tenths
- 8 tenths
- 10 tenths
- 12 tenths
Consolidation
Polar bear jail
In Churchill, Manitoba, there is a Polar Bear Alert hotline so that polar bears can be relocated back to the Arctic by a conservation team (help the polar bears get back to the Arctic). Part of this relocation is spending some time in a cozy relocation area to prevent the polar bears from continuing to wander around in cities or towns. Polar bears are in a relocation area at least 30 days before being relocated back to the Arctic.
If a polar bear is on day 6 of their 30-day relocation, this polar bear has spent 2 tenths of their time in the relocation area. How do and relate? Can you represent this relation using a number line, a set model or another manipulative of your choice. Next, can you represent in decimal form.
Calculate the remaining amount of relocation area time in tenths and express your answer in word or number word form, decimal form, and as a fraction.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.