Percent Flash
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See more activities in: Fifth Grade, Decimals

Practice percentages in this competitive card game! Race to calculate the answer as cards are flipped over. For each correct answer you give, you'll earn a card. Whoever earns the most cards, wins!

You may work out percentages with a calculator or with pencil and paper. A calculator is a great tool for understanding the process of finding percent, whereas the pencil and paper method will help with computation practice. You can decide which method suits you best.

Math Review:

When calculating percent, keep in mind that a percentage is a fraction, or part, of a whole. For example, 50% is equal to 0.50, and %17 is equal to 0.17. In order to find the percent of a number, you will first need to convert the percentage you are using into decimal form, then multiply it by that number. For example, 50% of 4 is 0.50 x 4.

What You Need:

  • One deck of playing cards (Print a deck.)
  • Calculator or pencil and paper (for every player)

What You Do:

  1. Shuffle the cards and place the deck face down in the center of the playing area. Distribute paper and pencils (or calculators) to every player.
  2. Decide on a percent for the first game. For our example, we'll use 50%. (For first time players, 50%, 10% or 1% are good choices, as they can be simpler to solve with.)
  3. Turn over the top card. Players race to find the given percentage (e.g. 50%) of the value of the card. (Let's say it is a four of hearts.)
  4. The first player that can give a correct answer wins the card. (In our example, 50% of 4, the answer would be "2".)
  5. Play until the deck is depleted or time runs out. The player with the most cards wins.

Variations:

  • Allow the winner of each round to determine the percent used for the next round.
  • Remove the face cards from the deck in order to simplify the solving process.
  • Create a challenge. Distribute the cards evenly among the players. All players must keep their cards face down in a pack. Players simultaneously turn over one card from their pack and place it in the center of the playing area. The first player that can find the sum of the cards and then find the given percent takes all of the cards.