What it shows
Equal parts of the same whole can be compared by length. The wall shows that one half equals two quarters and four eighths.
The science
A fraction names equal parts of a whole. When the whole is divided into more parts, each part is smaller, so one eighth is smaller than one quarter. Fractions that cover the same length are equivalent, for example 1/2 equals 2/4 equals 4/8. Putting the pieces side by side shows this at a glance, so ordering fractions becomes simple.
Materials
Cost: under Rs 50. Many items come from home or from waste; spare parts such as LEDs, motors and wire are in the store.
- About 8 ice-cream sticks or card strips of equal length (including spares)
- Poster colours
- A ruler and pencil
- Glue
- A cardboard backing sheet
- A marker
Safety
For this project: An adult must cut the sticks if they need trimming. Keep paint away from the mouth.
Never use mains electricity: power models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Sharp and hot tools, flames and lab chemicals need an adult or your teacher beside you. Keep magnets, button cells and small parts away from young children, and wash your hands after making.
Step by step
8 steps. Do them in order, and test each part before you go on to the next. Write what you notice in a notebook as you go.
Colour one full-length stick red and label it 1 whole.
Cut one stick exactly in half, colour the two halves blue and label each 1/2.
Cut one stick into four equal quarters and colour them green, then cut another stick into eight equal eighths and colour them yellow.
Glue the rows one below another on the backing sheet.
Check that each row has the same total length as the whole stick.
Place a ruler straight down through the rows to show equivalent fractions.
Write four true statements such as 1/2 equals 2/4.
Compare 3/4 and 5/8 with the wall and decide which is bigger.
What you should see
A wall of fractions that proves equivalent fractions by matching lengths.
Viva questions
A teacher or a judge will ask how it works. Try to answer each question before you open it, then compare.
01How many eighths make a half?
Four.
02Which is larger, 1/4 or 1/8?
1/4.
03What does equivalent mean?
Equal in value, though named differently.
04Which is bigger, 3/4 or 5/8?
3/4, because 6/8 is more than 5/8.
Take it further
Add thirds and sixths and find which fractions can be compared directly.
Change one thing, measure what happens, and add a table or chart of your readings: that is what turns a model into your own investigation.
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