Question

If dad has 3 oranges but there are 4 people in the room, how does he split the oranges?

1) He gives each person 1 orange and keeps 1 for himself
2) He cuts the oranges into 4 equal pieces and gives each person a piece
3) He gives 2 people 1 orange each and keeps 1 for himself
4) He gives 1 person 2 oranges and keeps 1 for himself

Answer 1

To fairly split 3 oranges among 4 people, each orange should be cut into 4 equal pieces and 3 pieces given to each person, ensuring an equal share for all. This method demonstrates the concept of fair division and the practical use of fractions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question asks how to split 3 oranges among 4 people. Given that we have a fixed quantity (3 oranges) and a set number of recipients (4 people), there are various strategies that could be used to distribute the oranges fairly. However, there is only one method among the given options that ensures each person receives an equal share.

The correct strategy is option 2: He cuts the oranges into 4 equal pieces and gives each person a piece. This method aligns with a basic principle of fair division in mathematics, where an item or a number of items must be divided equally among a certain number of individuals. In this case, each orange is cut into 4 equal parts, resulting in 12 pieces, and then each person is given 3 pieces, which is equivalent to ¾ of an orange.

Other options lead to unequal sharing and consequently are not fair in terms of equal distribution. This exercise showcases a practical application of fractions and division in everyday life.