Fractions of money

Fractions of money

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
Practical Task

a)
Sam has $1.20 in his wallet. He wants to divide it into quarters. 
Draw the coins that show \(1 \over 4\) of $1.20.

 
\(1 \over 4\) of $1.20 = _____  
 
b)
 
Merita has $4.60 in her purse. She wants to divide it in half. 
Draw the coins that show \(1 \over 2\) of $4.60.

 
\(1 \over 2\) of $4.60 = _____  
 
c)
 
Maria finds $1.00 on the footpath. She wants to divide it into tenths. 
Draw the coins that show \(1 \over 10\) of $1.00.

 
\(1 \over 10\) of $1.00 = _____  
 
d)
 
Juan's mother gives him $12.50. He wants to divide it into fifths. 
Draw the coins that show \(1 \over 5\) of $12.50.

 
\(1 \over 5\) of $12.50 = _____  
 
e)
 
Heta has been given $8.10. He wants to divide it into thirds. 
Draw the coins that show \(1 \over 3\) of $8.10.

 
\(1 \over 3\) of $8.10 = _____  
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper, and other equipment.
 
Equipment: play money; a minimum of 10 × 10c, 10 × 20c, 10 × 50c 5 × $1, 5 × $2 per student.
  • This task is designed to be carried out with a small group of students.
  • The emphasis in this task is on the students using coins to show how they would work out their answers rather than using mental methods of calculation.
  • Encourage students to make up the total first and then swap coins to solve each fraction problem. Then write the amounts and circle them to represent coins.

Observations
Watch for the way students use the coins to do the division.

  • Do they use the coins or just work it out (they may write the answer then draw in the coins)?
  • Do they use sophisticated or simple strategies?
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Number Strategies
Keywords: 
fractions, fractions as operators, money, decimals
Description of task: 
In this practical task students use play money to show fractions of dollar amounts involving decimals.
Curriculum Links: 
 
This resource can help to identify students' ability to apply simple multiplicative strategies to find fractions of sets, shapes, and quantities.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Multiplicative thinking, sets 4-5
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 

a)

Showing the coins and 30c or $0.30

1 mark (for both correct)

b)

Showing the coins and $2.30

1 mark (for both correct)

c)

Showing the coins and 10c or $0.10

1 mark (for both correct)

d)

Showing the coins and $2.70

1 mark (for both correct)

e)

Showing the coins and $2.50

1 mark (for both correct)

NOTE: Accept answers if dollar or cents symbols are omitted.

For similar resources involving fractions of amounts, refer to Counters and fractions and Money fractions.