Minds On
Baking fundraiser
A bakery offers to sell their baked goods at a fundraiser to raise money for a local wildlife rehabilitation centre.
The money they raise will help cover food, medicine and other basic needs to help animals before releasing them back into their natural habitat.
The baker has prepared some baked goods using 2 equal sized baking pans.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
The baker decides that they would like two different sized options of portions to sell.
- How might the baker split the first tray into equal portions?
- How might the baker split the second tray into equal portions?
Represent your thinking using pictures, diagrams, numbers or words.
If possible, share with a partner.
Action
Equal parts
The baker starts making their equal portions by splitting:
- Tray A into two equal parts, or halves
- Tray B into four equal parts, or fourth
Description
Two trays of baked goods. Tray A is split into 2 equal portions. One of these portions indicated using bracket that reads 1/2. Tray B is split into 4 equal portions. 2 of these portions are captured using a bracket that is labeled 2/4. Underneath is the math sentence ½ equals 2/4.
When we compare each tray, we know that 1/2 of Tray A’s baked goods is equivalent to 2/4 of Tray B’s baked goods.
More pieces
The baker decides that the portions are too large. They want to create smaller equal sized portions.
They take a new tray and split it into fourths. Next, they split each fourth in half again.
How many portions make up the whole now?
The one fourth portion has changed, what is the new size?
Record your answer in print, orally or using an audio recording.
Press ‘Answer’ to access a sample answer.
Description
Two trays of baked goods. The first tray is split into 4 equal portions. One of these portions is circled. An arrow points straight across to the next tray. This tray is split into 8 equal portions. Two of the portions are circled.
The tray of baked goods is now split into 8 equal portions.
One fourth is equal to two eighths.
Try It
Try it
Examine the following image.
How many eights are equal to one half? Figure out the missing numerator.
Description
1 half equals how many eighths? There are 2 trays of baked goods. Tray A only has 1 portion filling half the tray, which is indicated by a bracket labeled 1 half. Tray B is split into 4 equal portions filling half the tray, which is indicated by 4 brackets labeled blank over 8.
Thirds, sixths and twelfths
Let’s explore the equivalent fractions of thirds, sixths and twelfths.
What do you notice when you compare each representation?
Description
3 rectangles. The first rectangle is divided into 3 equal parts, or thirds. The second rectangle is divided into 6 equal parts, or sixths. The third triangle is divided into 12 equal parts, or twelfths.
Greatest to least
Task 1
Examine the following unit fractions.
Order them from least to greatest and then explain your thinking.
Record your answer in print, orally or using an audio recording.
Task 2
Examine the following representation of the fractions and .
Order them from least to greatest and then explain your thinking.
Record your answer in print, orally or using an audio recording.
Description
Image 1 Two rectangles. One is shaded in as a whole and the other is split into two equal portions, with one portion shaded. They are labeled 1 and 1 over 2.
Image 2 A rectangle split into 8 equal portions. 5 portions are shaded in, and it is labeled 5 over 8.
Image 3 A rectangle split into 9 equal portions. 2 portions are shaded in, and it is labeled 2 over 9.
Consolidation
Equal portions
The baker has finished creating their baked goods and splitting each tray into equal portions.
Examine the following image.
What is the unit fraction represented in Tray A, Tray B and Tray C?
Press ‘Answer’ to access which unit fraction is represented in each tray.
Description
Three trays of baked goods. Tray A is split in 9 equal portions, Tray B is split in 6 equal portions and Tray C is split in 12 equal portions. There is one piece circled in each tray which represent 1/9 in Tray A, 1/6 in Tray B and 1/12 in Tray C.
Next, try and order the unit fractions from least to greatest.
Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.
Consider the following questions:
- How many portions from Tray C equal 3 portions from Tray A?
- How many portions from Tray B equal 3 portions from Tray A?
Use pictures, diagrams or a tool of your choice to represent each equivalent fraction.
Try It
Try it
Choose three fractions with different denominators up to twelfths.
Represent each unit fraction using pictures, diagrams or a tool of your choice.
Order the fractions from greatest to least.
Record your thinking using a method of your choice.
If possible, share with a partner.
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.