Fraction Computation: Lesson 5

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Introduction

After students consider some responses to this Headline Story, ask them whether Jake could ever finish his licorice if he continued to eat only half of the remaining licorice. No

Headline Story

Jake had 2 $\frac{1}{2}$ feet of licorice. He ate half of it and wrote down how much was left. Then, he ate half of the remaining licorice and wrote down how much was left. He continued to do this as he ate his licorice.

Possible student responses

After he ate half of it, 1 $\frac{1}{4}$ (or $\frac{5}{4}$ ) feet remained. The next time, $\frac{5}{8}$ feet remained. Then $\frac{5}{16}$ feet were left.
The denominator keeps doubling, but the numerator is always 5.
Half of 2 + $\frac{1}{2}$ is 1 + $\frac{1}{4}$ , then half of that is $\frac{1}{2}$ + $\frac{1}{8}$ , and half of that is $\frac{1}{4}$ + $\frac{1}{16}$ , and so on…

Headline Story

Fraction Computation, #5

Introduction

Headline Story

Possible student responses