Activity Description Graphically determine the value of two given fractions represented as points on a number line. Graphically find a fraction whose value is between the two given fractions (using an arrow on the number line as a guide), then determine its value. Fraction Pointer is one of the Interactivate assessment explorers.

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Fraction Pointer

Place in mathematics curriculum:

• Practice simplifying fractions
• Compare fractions and order them on a number line
• Develop methods to estimate the values of fractions

This activity allows the user to visually experiment with the relationship between the value of fractions and areas within a square or a circle. This activity would work well in groups of two to four for about 30 minutes if you use the exploration questions.

Preparations for this activity:

• give implicit directions on what they are to do. For example "Today we are going to compare fractions and use the number line."
• discuss different methods to mentally approximate fractions.