Fraction Bullseye

Object of the Game

This is a one-player game. The player rolls two dice and makes a fraction less than or equal to 1 with the numbers. The player rolls the dice again and generates another fraction, which can be greater than 1 if the player wishes. The player adds the fractions and uses the bullseye chart to determine how many points the sum of the fractions is worth. At the end of the fifth round, players add the five sums together to get their game score. What score will you get?

Materials

2 dice numbered 1–6, or deck of cards containing 4 each of the numbers 1 to 6 This game may be played using dice, digital dice (like the one at www. calculator.net/dice-roller.html) or Number Cards. Print the cards or make your own.

• Pencil or pen

• Fraction Bullseye Record Sheet Print the record sheet or make your own. .

Skills

This game helps us practice:

• Estimating fraction sums and differences • Adding fractions with and without common denominators

How to Play

1. Roll the dice or draw two number cards. Use the numbers to make a fraction less than or equal to 1. Record the fraction.

I got 1 and 6, so my fraction is 1/6.

1. Roll the dice or draw two cards again. Use the numbers to create another fraction of any value. It can be greater than 1, but it doesn’t have to be.

With a 4 and 5, I could either make 4/5 or 5/4. I think $\textstyle { \frac { 1 } { 6 } } + { \frac { 5 } { 4 } }$ will be more than 1, but not exactly $\begin{array} { r } { { 1 \frac { 1 } { 2 } } } \end{array}$ I think $\textstyle { \frac { 1 } { 6 } } + { \frac { 4 } { 5 } }$ is less than 1, and that will give me more points.

1. Add the two fractions, using equivalent fractions as necessary.

$$ { \begin{array} { l } { { \frac { 1 } { 6 } } + { \frac { 4 } { 5 } } = { \frac { 5 } { 3 0 } } + { \frac { 2 4 } { 3 0 } } = { \frac { 2 9 } { 3 0 } } } \end{array} } $$

I used a double number line. I needed to mark fifths and sixths, so a number line with 30 units was a good choice. One-sixth of 30 is 5. One-fifth of 30 is 6, so 4/5 of 30 is 24. $\begin{array} { r } { \frac { 1 } { 6 } + \frac { 4 } { 5 } = \frac { 5 } { 3 0 } + \frac { 2 4 } { 3 0 } = \frac { 2 9 } { 3 0 } } \end{array}$

1. Refer to the Fraction Bullseye Record Sheet to determine your score for the round.

Since 29/30 is greater than $%$ but less than 1, I get 100 points.

1. Repeat for 5 rounds. Add up your points to get a total score for the game.

2. Keep track of your total scores and do a happy dance when you get a new high score.

Tips for Families

Review the Fraction Bullseye Record Sheet to see which fraction totals score the most points.

• Use landmark fractions, such as ½, to estimate sums.

Math Learning Center has free apps that can help you model equivalent fractions and fraction operations. Both the Math Clock app, www.mathlearningcenter.org/ resources/apps/math-clock (choose “Clock with fractions”), and the Fractions app, www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/apps/fractions, might be helpful.

Change It Up

Making even small changes to a game can invite new ways of thinking about the math. Try making one of the changes below. How did it change your strategy for playing the game? Are your total scores higher or lower because of the change?

Roll 3 dice each time and choose 2 to make a fraction.

• Play for more or less than 5 rounds.

• Allow both fractions to be greater than 1. Design a new bullseye scoring guide that includes scores for possible sums in this version.

• Play with a partner. The winner is the player who scores more points after 5 rounds.

6
1	1	1
1	2	2
2	2	3
3	3	3
o
4	4	4
4	5	5
5	5	6
6	6	6

Fraction Bullseye Record Sheet

Round	Fractions	Sum	Score
1
2
3
4
5
Total: