Math in Our World: Fraction Target Game
Pedro and his friends made up a fraction beanbag toss game. Each player gets three bean bags to toss each turn. After each toss, they add or subtract points based on where the beanbag lands. High score wins. There are no negative scores in this game, so if you toss a beanbag that would give you a negative score, your score stays at 0 points. The picture above shows one player’s beanbags after a complete turn.
- Use pictures, models, or numbers to show what is happening.
- What do you notice? What do you wonder?
- What mathematical questions can you ask about this situation? Answer all the questions you can!
How could you get started?
- Start with the first beanbag tossed. Add or subtract the score for the second beanbag. Then add or subtract the third score.
- You might use the MLC Fractions or Number Line apps to model the problem.
Follow-up
Show your work to someone else, and explain your thinking. Did they understand?
Ask if they have any other questions you can answer!
Challenge
Make your own fraction target game, or change the rules for this target game. You could make a game that asks players to get as close as possible to a target number. Show the results of one round and the points scored. What was your total score?