Activity

Word Problem with Rational Numbers—Balancing Bars of Soap

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Word Problem with Rational Numbers—Balancing Bars of Soap activity also includes:

Here's a resource teachers won't want to wash their hands of. Given a task where a full bar of soap is on one side of a balance and 3/4 of a bar of soup and a 3/4-ounce weight is on the other side, young mathematicians must determine the weight of the bar of soap. They read a conversation about a possible solution method and discuss what they have learned about multiplying fractions.

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CCSS: Designed
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Provide a balance, bars of soap, and weights for scholars to actually simulate the problem situation
Classroom Considerations
  • Pupils should have an understanding of equality
  • Some basic familiarity with multiplying fractions is beneficial
Pros
  • Lists questions to use during discussion
  • Requires the use of higher-level thinking skills
Cons
  • None