Fractions in Between

Understanding fractions can be tough! Try using a deck of playing cards to formulate fractions. In this activity, you will randomly deal cards onto a game board, representing three different fractions. Work together to evaluate whether or not those fractions are in order from greatest to least. Use a calculator to help you solve, and come to a better understanding about the value of different fractions.

What You Need:

• One deck of playing cards
• One Fractions in Between game board (Print this out.)
• Paper and pencil (to keep score)
• Calculator (recommended)

What You Do:

1. Players take turns dealing cards, face up, into the spaces on the game board. They must place the cards down onto the game board in the order they are dealt, from left to right and top to bottom.
2. All players evaluate whether or not the statement made by the cards is true. (The fraction on the left should be greater than the fraction in the middle, which should be greater than the fraction on the right. For the purposes of this game aces = 1, jacks = 11, queens = 12, and kings = 13.)
3. If a player's inequality is correct, they earn one point. If not, they earn zero points. (Use a calculator to find the decimal value of a fraction by dividing the top number, or numerator, by the bottom number, or denominator. This will make it easier to compare complex fractions.)
4. When no more cards remain in the deck, or there aren't enough left to play another round, players add up their scores to see who's won.

Variations:

• Make the game easier. Give all fractions the same numerator or denominator. Search the cards out of the deck, or write the numbers onto your game board.
• Allow players to move cards around on their game boards in order to create a true statement before awarding points.