From: RON <rselby@cinci.rr.com>
To: Teacher2Teacher Public Discussion
Date: 2003061021:33:09
Subject: Re: dividing fractions

For a practical application of division of fractions, try the
following:

A man wants to build some shelves. He needs to have the shelves 19 3/4
inches long and needs 38 shelves. The lumber he wants comes in 8 foot
($13), 10 foot ($15), and 12 foot ($17) lengths.

Numerous questions could be posed on an elementary level, some for
those who need practice dividing fractions and others for the more
advanced students who need more of a challenge. e.g.

1) How many shelves can be obtained from each length of board?

2) What combination of boards purchased will yield 38 shelves and will
cost the least?

Similar problems using other "around the house" issues can be
constructed, e.g. wallpapering, sewing ( if anyone still does that),
landscaping, etc.  The practical issue is usually one of cost (or
economics), which fits nicely into a cross-curriculum aspect of
studying mathematics.

A bit too late for this school year, but useable next time around.

RON

Post a reply to this message
Post a related public discussion message
Ask Teacher2Teacher a new question