ACTIVITY 1A: THOSE CHANGING CHANGES
Description
Students compare and order net changes of stock prices in fraction form and place values on a number line.
Math Objectives
The student will be able to:
• Compare fractions
• Order fractions
• Interpret and apply information from a table
• Label a number line with fractions of 1
• Place fractions on a number line
Connections and Extensions
Writing: Students write a letter to John explaining how to compare fractions.
Research: Students research the origins of stock prices including why fractions were originally used. Research results may be presented to the class or written in an essay.
Students research the origins of fractions including cultures that first developed systems for mathematically comparing “parts of a whole” before the invention of the decimal system.
ACTIVITY
John created the table below using information from an old newspaper he found in his grandparents’ attic. He has been studying the stock market in his class and was surprised by how different the stock pages looked compared to what he has seen recently in his local paper. All the stock prices are listed in fractions!
| STOCK (SYMBOL) | Net Change |
|---|---|
| Dusty Newspapers, Inc. (DN) | +1/2 |
| Air Tight Attics (ATA) | +1/8 |
| Frumpy Dresses for All (FRUMP) | +5/8 |
| Old Things Are Good (OTAG) | +3/8 |
| We Sell Records (WSR) | +1/4 |
John hasn’t studied fractions yet in his math class. Help him answer the questions below using your knowledge of fractions.
1. Which stock’s net change was least?
Stock Symbol: _______________ Net Change: _______________
2. Which stock’s net change was the greatest?
Stock Symbol: _______________ Net Change: _______________
3. List the net changes in order from least to greatest?
Stock Symbols: _______, _______, _______, _______, _______
Net Changes: _______, _______, _______, _______, _______
4. Label the number line below and place the net changes in their appropriate places.
<----|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|---->
0 1
John found other stock changes throughout the paper that looked similar. Help him determine which
price change is greater by filling in the blanks with a < or > symbol.
5. 1/2 ______ 1/4 8. 5/8 ______ 1/2
6. 1/4 ______ 3/4 9. 1/2 ______ 3/8
7. 3/4 ______ 7/8 10. 1/8 ______ 1/4