Marilyn+Burns'+Comparison+Game

From Marilyn Burns, __Teaching Arithmetic: Lessons for Extending Fractions, Grade 5__, Math Solutions Publications, ISBN 0-941355-43-8

Four Number Version
Player plays against the computer Four random numbers generated one at a time for each player. Player places the number in the numerator, denominator or one of two reserve spots. A number cannot be moved once it is placed. - computer does the same - winner is the one with the smallest fraction or largest fraction or fraction closest to a particular benchmark (like 1 or 1/2) - bonus points for correctly identifying the winner, supplying the difference between the two constructed numbers, or the difference to the benchmark - could provide model(s) to defend the correct answer - could be leveled to introduce smallest first and bonus points over time and more advanced strategies for the computer - could introduce a box for the mixed part of the number and extend to benchmarks like 2 and 2 1/2 - could have a two human-player version



Six Number Version
Player plays against the computer - Six random numbers generated one at a time for each player. Player places the number in the numerator, denominator or one of two reserve spots - computer does the same - winner is the one with the smallest sum or largest sum or sum closest to a particular benchmark - bonus points for correctly identifying the winner, supplying the difference between the two constructed numbers, or the difference to the benchmark - could be levelled to introduce smallest first and bonus points over time and more advanced strategies for the computer - could introduce a box for the mixed part of the number - could have bonus for giving sum - could have either a maximum sum or minimum sum which must be met in order to score - e.g., make the sum as big as possible, but don't exceed 2



Grade 7 Fractions