Question

Carly and Gina read the following problem in their math class:

Seven cereal bars were shared equally by 3 children. How much did each child receive?

Carly and Gina solve the problem differently. Carly gives each child 2 whole cereal bars and then divides the remaining cereal bar among the 3 children. Gina divides all the cereal bars into thirds and shares the thirds equally among the 3 children.

a. Illustrate both girls’ solutions.
b. Explain why they are both right.

Answer 1

Part a) and Part b) see the explanation

Explanation:

Part a) Illustrate both girls’ solutions

Carly

Carly gives each child 2 whole cereal bars and then divides the remaining cereal bar among the 3 children

so

1) Each child receive first 2 whole cereal bars

the remaining is

`7-(2+2+2)=7-6=1\ cereal\ bar`

2) Divides the remaining cereal bar among the 3 children

Each child receive 1/3 cereal bar

3) Each child receive in total

`2+(1)/(3)=2(1)/(3)\ cereal\ bar`

Gina

Gina divides all the cereal bars into thirds and shares the thirds equally among the 3 children.

so

1) Divide the total bars by 3

Each child receive

`(7)/(3)\ cereal\ bar`

Part b) Explain why they are both right

Compare the results

Carly ---->
`2(1)/(3)\ cereal\ bar`

Gina ---->
`(7)/(3)\ cereal\ bar`

Convert mixed number to decimal number

`2(1)/(3)\ cereal\ bar=2+(1)/(3)=(2*3+1)/(3)=(7)/(3)\ cereal\ bar`

so

`2(1)/(3)\ cereal\ bar=(7)/(3)\ cereal\ bar`

therefore

Carly and Gina are right