1 +1
2=4
1 =—
1 + 8—
—
—
=
9 + 9876. 5 4 3 2 1 = ?
6
8
?
8 ✹ 0 . 5 = 0.50 = 0 . 5 0 0 ✹ 123.4 5 6 7 8Equivalent
3—
✹
2 4 —
2
Fractions
The Mysterious Fraction Zone
What do learning about equivalent fractions and investigating the Bermuda
Triangle have in common? Fun and intrigue!
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Directions
1. Duplicate the reproducible for each student and distribute.
Students find equivalent fractions.
2. Review the term equivalent fractions. Remind students that equivalent
1
2
fractions have the same value, such as 3 and 6 .
GROUPING
3. Fold a piece of paper in half and shade one half
lightly with a marker. Ask a volunteer to tell what
fraction represents the shaded area. [ 12 ]
Individual
4. Fold another piece of paper in half, and then in
half again, to create fourths. Shade two sections,
2
4 , lightly with a marker. Ask a volunteer to tell
what fraction represents the shaded area. [ 24 ]
Discuss with students what the two fractions
have in common.
MATERIALS
✹ 2 pieces of paper
✹ markers
For each student:
5. Remind students that they can write an equivalent fraction by
multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number.
✹ The Mysterious Fraction Zone
reproducible (p. 69)
6. To rename a fraction that is not in lowest terms, they can find the
greatest common factor and then divide the numerator and
denominator by it.
✹ paper and pencil
Taking It Further
Encourage students to find more facts about the Bermuda Triangle or
other unsolved mysteries. They can write their own equivalent fractions
to match the facts.
Assessing Skills
✹ Observe whether students are taking the original fraction and
multiplying the numerator and denominator randomly to find
equivalent fractions, or if they are dividing the numerator and
denominator to rename the fraction in lowest terms.
Answers
Page 69:
Mary Celeste
Avengers
Atlantis
The Great BIG Book of Funtastic Math © Scholastic Teaching Resources
10
3
9
( 30 ,
8
( 10 ,
40
50
6
12
)
2
7
6
21
,
(
)
)
50
( 100 ,
USS Cyclops
✹ If students are dividing the numerator and denominator to reduce
fractions to lowest terms, are they randomly dividing or using the
greatest common factor?
68
1
2
4
5
1
3
4
14
)
Name
Date
The Mysterious Fraction Zone
Welcome to the Mysterious Fraction Zone—where every
fraction is equivalent to an unexplained mystery!
Hundreds of planes and ships have vanished without a
trace in an area of the Atlantic Ocean known as the
Bermuda Triangle. Pilots have reported spinning
compasses, loss of electric power, and jammed
equipment.
Some people think the triangle has unusual magnetic
or gravitational forces. Others conclude that the
disappearances are due to weather, pilot error, or other
explainable conditions. Decide for yourself.
1
3
4
5
WHAT TO DO:
✹ Match the fraction under each
picture to the two equivalent
fractions in the Fact Bank. These
facts reveal a mystery.
✹ Write the equivalent fractions
and mystery facts on a separate
sheet of paper. The order of the
facts isn’t important.
1
2
2
7
FACT BANK
50 In 335 B.C. Plato wrote about an ancient empire,
100 Atlantis, that after a day and night of rain sank to
40
50
8
10
Five Avenger torpedo bombers in perfect working
order left Fort Lauderdale Naval Air Station with
full loads of fuel on a clear day.
Several hours after takeoff, the Avengers radioed
the control tower, saying that everything was
strange and they were not sure of their directions
. . . then, silence.
10
30
6
12
Underwater expeditions in the Bermuda Triangle
have uncovered stone heads, carved pillars, and
pyramids believed to be part of the lost civilization
of Atlantis.
The Mary Celeste, a 103-foot-long ship, was found
perfectly intact and abandoned at sea. There was
no sign of bad weather or foul play.
4
14
The navy boat—and its 309 crew members—
disappeared without a trace in fair weather,
without sending an SOS.
6
21
The USS Cyclops, a 19,600-ton Navy boat, left the
West Indies bound for Norfolk, Virginia, but it
never arrived.
3
9
What mysterious event would lead Captain Briggs,
his wife, his daughter, and eight crew members to
leave their ship with a meal still on the table?
the bottom of the ocean.
The Great BIG Book of Funtastic Math © Scholastic Teaching Resources
69