Missing links
These are level 4 geometry and level 5 number problems from the Figure It Out series. It is focused on solving problems involving division and decimals and using fractions of two dimensional shapes to solve puzzles. A PDF of the student activity is included.
Figure It Out is a series of 80 books published between 1999 and 2009 to support teaching and learning in New Zealand classrooms.
This resource provides the teachers’ notes and answers for one activity from the Figure It Out series. A printable PDF of the student activity can be downloaded from the materials that come with this resource.
Specific learning outcomes:
- Solve problems involving division and decimals (Problem 2).
- Use fractions of two dimensional shapes to solve puzzles (Problem 3).
Missing links
Achievement objectives
GM4-6: Relate three-dimensional models to two-dimensional representations, and vice versa.
NA5-3: Understand operations on fractions, decimals, percentages, and integers.
Required materials
- Figure It Out, Level 3, Problem Solving, "Missing links", page 15
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- Missing links activity (.pdf)
Activity
Problem 1
An obvious strategy is for students to try to keep each length of chain intact.
This joining will require four links to be opened and closed. That will cost 4 x $1.20 = $4.80, so it cannot be done within budget.
If the jeweller opens and closes all three links in one length of chain, the job can be done within budget.
- The total cost will be 3 x $1.20 = $3.60.
As an extension, challenge students to join these lengths of chain into one bracelet for the least cost:
This can be done by opening and closing six links.
Problem 2
This problem explores the idea of common ratios or equivalent fractions. Students should know that an answer greater than one can only be obtained if the number being divided (the dividend) is greater than the divisor, for example, 8 ÷ 4 = 2, 6 ÷ 4 = 1.5, 3 ÷ 2 = 1.5.
1.25 L is a common capacity of soft-drink bottles, and some students may know it as “one and a quarter litres”. A representation of this might be:
- So 11/4 litres is five quarters.
One way of getting 1.25 is 5 ÷ 4. Students may know that 5 ÷ 2 = 2.5 or 2 and a half, so dividing five by two twice (diving by four) will halve the answer (1.25). From this solution, an infinite number of other possibilities can be developed. For example:
Problem 3
Some students may need to use pattern blocks to find the different ways of making hexagons.
A systematic way of working is:
As an extension, students might explore how many ways a triangle could be filled using a number of these shapes:
For example:
Problem 4
The first four equations in the pattern are:
- 4 x 44 = 176
- 4 x 444 = 1 776
- 4 x 4 444 = 17 776
- 4 x 44 444 = 177 776
In the pattern, there is always one more four in the second factor than there are sevens in the answer. Reversing this …
leads to 4 x 444 444 = 1 777 776
1.
Yes, but only if the jeweller opens and closes 3 links of one chain and uses these to connect the other chains. Cost = 3 x 50c + 3 x 70c = $3.60
2.
There are an infinite number of answers.
Solutions include: 2.5 ÷ 2; 5 ÷ 4; 7.5 ÷ 6; 10 ÷ 8; 12.5 ÷ 10; 15 ÷ 12 … (Notice the pattern: the dividend increases by 2.5, and the divisor increases by 2.)
3.
4.
a. 176; 1 776; 17 776
b.
- 177 776
- 444 444
There is always one more 4 in the second factor than there are sevens in the answer.
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