Capture That Fraction

Compare fractions in this two-player math game. Improve your proficiency and understanding in a fun new way! Using just a deck of cards, pencils and paper you can create a more interesting way to practice an important skill. In Capture That Fraction, you must work together to determine who has created the larger fraction. Use a number line, pictures, or multiplication to find a winner. Build off of the methods your child is using in the classroom. Have them teach you!

Terms to Know:

numerator: the number above the line in a fraction; indicates the number of parts being considered
denominator: the number below the line in a fraction; indicates the total number of parts in the whole

What You Need:

• Deck of cards
• 2 game boards (Create a game board by drawing a horizontal line on a single sheet of paper, in order to create a fraction bar.)
• Scratch paper and pencils (optional)

What You Do:

1. Remove face cards from the deck and put them aside. Shuffle the remaining cards.
2. Divide the deck between the two players. Each player should place their deck face down next to themselves.
3. Players simultaneously turn over two cards from their decks and place them on their game boards, using one card as a numerator and one card as a denominator.
4. Players calculate who has the largest fraction. The simplest method of comparing fractions would be to multiply each fraction by the denominator of the other fraction. (For example, with the fractions 1/2 and 1/3, compute 1/2 x 3/3 = 3/6 and 1/3 x 2/2 = 2/6. Clearly, 1/2 is the larger fraction, because 3/6 is larger than 2/6.)
5. The player who has the largest fraction wins all of the cards from that round. If there is a tie, split the cards evenly among players.
6. Play until one player has accumulated all of the cards or time is up. The player with the most cards wins the game.

Variations:

• Require players to place the smaller card in the numerator and the larger in the denominator.
• Change the rules so the smaller fraction wins.
• Add in face cards and give them their respective values (jack = 11, queen = 12, king = 13).

By William L. Gaslin, Charles Lund, & Martin M. Gaslin found here on education.com