Introduction

Some students, though in high school, have trouble working with fractions. This treasure hunt provides some review of fractions and some help for using fractions in solving equations and other math problems.

Learners

This treasure hunt is to be used by students in grades 9 through 12 who come to the Math Lab for extra math help. However, some eighth grade students may also find this hunt helpful. Individual students who need more practice with fractions will use this activity.

Resources

Computer, internet connection, printer, pencil, and paper.

Standards

NYS Standards

Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding Students will listen, speak, read, and write for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply and transmit information.

Standard 2: Information Systems. Students will access, generate, process and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Standard 3: Mathematics Students will understand mathematics and become mathematically confident by communicating and reasoning mathematically, by applying mathematics in real-world settings, and by solving problems through the integrated study of number systems, geometry, algebra, data analysis, probability, and trigonometry.

Standard 6: Interconnectedness Common Themes Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.

Standard 7: Interdisciplinary Problem Solving Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.

ISTE Standards

1. Basic Operations and Concepts

· Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.

· Students are proficient in the use of technology

2. Social, Ethical, and Human issues

· Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

3. Technology Productivity Tools

· Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

· Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

4. Technology Research Tools

· Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.

· Students evaluate and select new information resources and technical innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.

Process

Students in the math lab who need extra help with fractions will be directed to the Problems with Fractions Treasure Hunt. Students will work individually and record their answers on their printed copy of the treasure hunt. Students with reading difficulties may need extra assistance with finding the necessary information.

Evaluation

Completed copies of the treasure hunt will be checked for accuracy. Any inaccuracies will be identified. The math lab teacher may then correct the inaccuracies with the student or may direct the student to other internet sites to make corrections. Copies of accurate and completed treasure hunts will be kept in the student’s folder.

Solutions

1. What is a Fraction?

A fraction is a number that expresses part of a group.

Fractions are written in the form or a/b, where a and b are whole numbers, and the number b is not 0. For the purposes of these web pages, we will denote fractions using the notation a/b, though the preferred notation is generally a

The number a is called the numerator, and the number b is called the denominator.

Mixed Numbers

Mixed numbers have a whole number part and a fraction part.

Examples:

are mixed numbers also written as 2 3/4 and 6 1/2. In these web pages, we denote mixed numbers