MA.6.A.1.3Archived Standard

loading spinner
Export Print
Solve real-world problems involving multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.

Remarks

This standard includes finding the solution to multi-step problems.

 

Example: How many quarter-pound hamburgers can be made from 3 1/2 pounds of ground beef?

General Information
Subject Area: X-Mathematics (former standards - 2008)
Grade: 6
Body of Knowledge: Algebra
Idea: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning
Big Idea: BIG IDEA 1 - Develop an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.
Date Adopted or Revised: 09/07
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 06/07
Status: State Board Approved - Archived
Assessed: Yes
Test Item Specifications
  • Item Type(s): This benchmark may be assessed using: MC , GR item(s)

  • Clarification :
    Students will solve real-world problems involving multiplication and/or division of fractions and decimals.
  • Content Limits :
    Items may include fractions and mixed numbers. 

    Items may include decimals through the hundredths place. 

    Fractions and decimals may not be used in the same item. In fractions that must be simplified, the numerator and denominator must be simplified to lowest terms with no more than two common prime factors, e.g., 2, 3, 5, or 7. 

    Items may include up to three procedural steps. 

    Items may involve checking for reasonableness of answers, especially when dealing with remainders.

  • Stimulus Attributes :
    Items should be set in a real-world or mathematical context.

    Graphics may be used, as appropriate.
  • Response Attributes :
    For multiple-choice items, options that are fractions should be in simplest form.
Sample Test Items (2)
  • Test Item #: Sample Item 1
  • Question: Mr. Nichols wants to store 25½ cups of stew in containers. Each container holds a maximum of 1½ cups of stew. What is the minimum number of containers Mr. Nichols needs to hold all the stew?
  • Difficulty: N/A
  • Type: MC: Multiple Choice
  • Test Item #: Sample Item 2
  • Question: The Rolanda family drove 1,600 miles in 3 days. On the first day, they traveled ½ of the total distance. On the second day, they traveled ¼ of the remaining distance.

    What was the total distance, in miles, the Rolanda family traveled on the third day?
  • Difficulty: N/A
  • Type: GR: Gridded-Response

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

I want a cell phone:

Students develop a procedure to select a cell phone based on qualities they think their parents value in a cell phone. Students present their solution in writing to a marketing company, who wishes to use the results to market cell phones to parents of elementary students.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Can You Hear Me Now?:

Students will be given a list of phone rates of 5 different companies and will have to decide which plan(s) are the best according to cost. They will discuss minutes and monthly plan and the cost of each phone. All of the plans are on the prepayment option.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Sandy's Candy Machine:

In this Model Eliciting Activity (MEA), students will multiply and divide decimals as well as use the resulting data to make a decision about a candy store.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Which Food Should I Feed My Cat?:

The students will convert fractions into decimals and determine with multiplication the amount of food per serving for their assigned cat. Using this amount, they will calculate (division of decimals) the number of servings and the price per serving of cat food. Student will work with three types of food and enter the data into the chart. Finally, the students will analyze the data to determine the most cost-effective food.

Type: Lesson Plan

Problem-Solving Task

Space Math - Comparing Planets Orbiting Other Stars:

This NASA lesson utilizes real world data about the size of planets orbiting other stars. Students are asked to use this data to compare the size of the planets to Earth and Jupiter. Lesson includes a visual representation and an answer key.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Project

Fractions - Cookie Project:

This Math Project includes a rubric.
This Math Project includes a permission form.

**** Teacher supplies the hot chocolate for class if you choose to actually do the cookie activity extension.

This activity has two purposes: Math and building a cohesive classroom community. I call these friendship activities and we incorporate activities such as this one into instruction.

Students research from a cookbook, magazine, website, newspaper, etc. a favorite cookie recipe.
Each student copies their recipe on a recipe card (can be an index card).

If you use an index card it can be set up as follows:

Recipe title: _________________ Serves: _______________
Submitted by: ______________________________________
Ingredients:

Procedure:

Research: _________________________________________

The cut the batch to 1/2 and also triple it. This is done on a separate sheet of paper.

Type: Project

Teaching Ideas

Baby Whale Formula-SeaWorld Classroom Activity:

In this problem solving activity, students will practice measuring and making calculations in the context of providing nutrients to a baby whale that was rescued.

Type: Teaching Idea

Caribou Caravan-SeaWorld Classroom Activity:

Students will trace the migration route of caribou (reindeer) and learn the animal's natural history.

Type: Teaching Idea

Space Math - Big Moons and Small Planets:

Students use a scale representation of the top 26 small planets and large moons in the solar system to compare their relative sizes to Earth. Students will use simple fractions to solve real world problems.

Type: Teaching Idea

Feeding Time-SeaWorld Classroom Activity:

Students determine the cost to feed a group of ocean animals in captivity, thus solving a real-life problem.

Type: Teaching Idea

Calculating Sharks-SeaWorld Classroom Activity:

  • Given data about sharks and the amount of food they eat, students will be able to solve for the unknown in percentage problems.
  • Given information about a shark's growth, students will be able to graph coordinates and interpret a linear graph.
  • Given the conversion factor, students will be able to convert from metric to English units.

Type: Teaching Idea

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Can You Hear Me Now?:

Students will be given a list of phone rates of 5 different companies and will have to decide which plan(s) are the best according to cost. They will discuss minutes and monthly plan and the cost of each phone. All of the plans are on the prepayment option.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

I want a cell phone:

Students develop a procedure to select a cell phone based on qualities they think their parents value in a cell phone. Students present their solution in writing to a marketing company, who wishes to use the results to market cell phones to parents of elementary students.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Sandy's Candy Machine:

In this Model Eliciting Activity (MEA), students will multiply and divide decimals as well as use the resulting data to make a decision about a candy store.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.