Step 3: Ask students to shade in the two fractions on their communicator
and think about what the sum would be.
In the first problem students should shade in 1/4 and 1/8 and think what
the sum would equal. Is there another name for one of these fractions
that would make it easier to add the pieces together.
There is another name for 1/4. It is equivalent to 2/8.
Have students notice that unit is divided into twice as many pieces to
make 8
Where there was one piece there now two pieces.
Step 4: Adding the fractions on the TI-73:
Students enter 1/4 by pressing the b/c key, the 1, the down arrow, and
then a 4.
Then use the right arrow to move to the right
press the b/c key again, the 1, the down arrow, and then the 8
Then press ENTER to obtain the answer.
Step 5: Students should observe from the Fraction Sticks that the
question could be asked using only EIGHTS. 2/8 + 1/8 =
Step 6: Ask students to also enter the equivalent question using
common denominators in their calculator and try to get the same answer.
This equivalent question should be recorded on the question sheet next to the
original question.
