Fractions,
Decimals, Percentages
by Tina Luffman, Yavapai College
Class objective
To learn the relationship between fractions, decimals, and percentages as well as learning how to convert between each. This activity also teaches students the relationships between numbers in a series.
Beginning Literacy Math Indicator B, C
ABEI, II, III Math: Indicator A Develops and applies number sense to solve a variety of real-life problems and to determine if the results are reasonable
Materials
White board
Whiteboard markers
Fractions, Decimals, Percents handouts
Pencils
Activity
Create the Fractions, Decimals Percentages chart on the
whiteboard leaving 1/3 of each column blank. Ask students to help solve the
blank spaces (do not pass out handout yet). This activity creates a lot of
questions concerning dividing with decimals, multiplying with remainders, place
value, and so on. I have found it
extremely difficult to go from decimals or percentages back to fractions with1/3
and 2/3 with students, so avoid that calculation if possible. After doing
the activity together, erase the whiteboard and then have students work in small
groups to fill out the handout on their own. Once students successfully do this
chart, they tend to do much better on future calculations on TABE and GED
testing because if they have trouble with one operation, they learn to use the
other—for example, students who don’t like working with fractions will often
convert to decimals. This activity also demystifies what a decimal, percent, and
fraction is in relationship with numbers in general. When solving for each
fraction, decimal, and percent, I have the students say each one out loud so we
get used to calling 7/8 seven eighths and .875 eight hundred seventy-five
thousandth. This activity is also a great way to reinforce place value. Remember
to use money as a tool. We can remind students that half a dollar is 50 cents or
.5 of a dollar. Also, students get it quick that ¾ of a dollar is like having 3
quarters, so it is .75. Students also are surprised to see us using decimal
points in percentages. These concepts are new to many. Here's a page for conversion
practice
Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages Chart
|
1 |
1.0 |
100% |
|
9/10 |
.9 |
90% |
|
7/8 |
.875 |
87.5% |
|
4/5 |
.8 |
80% |
|
3/4 |
.75 |
75% |
|
7/10 |
.7 |
70% |
|
2/3 |
.67 |
67% |
|
5/8 |
.625 |
62.5% |
|
3/5 |
.6 |
60% |
|
1/2 |
.5 |
50% |
|
2/5 |
.4 |
40% |
|
3/8 |
.375 |
37.5% |
|
1/3 |
.33 |
33% |
|
3/10 |
.3 |
30% |
|
1/4 |
.25 |
25% |
|
1/5 |
.20 |
20% |
|
1/8 |
.125 |
12.5% |
|
1/10 |
.1 |
10% |
|
0 |
0.0 |
0% |
Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages Chart
|
|
1.0 |
100% |
|
|
.9 |
90% |
|
|
.875 |
87.5% |
|
|
.8 |
80% |
|
|
.75 |
75% |
|
|
.7 |
70% |
|
2/3 |
|
67% |
|
5/8 |
|
62.5% |
|
3/5 |
|
60% |
|
1/2 |
|
50% |
|
2/5 |
|
40% |
|
3/8 |
|
37.5% |
|
1/3 |
.33 |
|
|
3/10 |
.3 |
|
|
1/4 |
.25 |
|
|
1/5 |
.20 |
|
|
1/8 |
.125 |
|
|
1/10 |
.1 |
|
|
0 |
0.0 |
|