5th Grade Math Help

[Daxx]

Poll coming ...

Ok -- DH and I were looking over DS's math paper and DS had an issue w/one question. They are going back and forth over this one. Here's the question:

Four students were making collages in art class. There were only 3 sheets of paper available. How much paper could each art student use for their collage?

One of us said 1/2 sheet of paper each and the other said 3/4 sheet of paper each.

The person who said 1/2 sheet of paper each stated that three strips of paper that are 1/4 ea. is not the same as one whole 3/4 sheet of paper. The person who said 3/4 sheet per person said that the stuff will be glued together so it doesn't matter.

The person who said 1/2 sheet of paper each stated that the collage is in there for extra and to try to throw you off.

So ... who is right?!

 

[KarenB]

3/4 I drew a picture!!!

 

[Kitty 34]

I agree with Karen. Draw a pic of the three sheets and divide each one into 4 pieces.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

It is literally 3/4 which means 3 divided by 4.

 

[ilovejack02]

I dont know, I suck at math

 

[december]

I can see it both ways. Did they have to show work? The last speaker we had was on the new state tests here. Alot of the questions no longer have a right or wrong answer-they are looking for the thought process involved. The math teacher in me still wants to argue that one answer is right (I'd pick 3/4) but that isn't how they are being graded!

 

[golfgal]

How far down the assignment is this question ? The easy answer is 3/4th but if it is far down the paper there is more to the question so it might not be right.

 

[damo]

If it was 3 cans of paint between 4 people it would be a completely different question.

I probably would have said 3/4 just because there were no stipulations put in about the paper needing to be whole.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I agree with Karen. Draw a pic of the three sheets and divide each one into 4 pieces.

Yep. Oh boy, this problem reminds me of one of my math classes in college (for elementary teachers and this is basically one of the ways they gave for how to explain things to kids. hehe!).

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

They each get one full sheet of paper. Student D tells A, B, and C to each take a sheet. Student D will tell mom about the paper required for the project at about 8:55 pm the night before the project is due, 5 minutes before Staples closes.

 

[mirthmaiden]

They each get one full sheet of paper. Student D tells A, B, and C to each take a sheet. Student D will tell mom about the paper required for the project at about 8:55 pm the night before the project is due, 5 minutes before Staples closes.

I am teaching 5th grade math. I vote for this answer

 

[JR6ooo4]

Poll coming ...

Ok -- DH and I were looking over DS's math paper and DS had an issue w/one question. They are going back and forth over this one. Here's the question:

Four students were making collages in art class. There were only 3 sheets of paper available. How much paper could each art student use for their collage?

One of us said 1/2 sheet of paper each and the other said 3/4 sheet of paper each.

The person who said 1/2 sheet of paper each stated that three strips of paper that are 1/4 ea. is not the same as one whole 3/4 sheet of paper. The person who said 3/4 sheet per person said that the stuff will be glued together so it doesn't matter.

The person who said 1/2 sheet of paper each stated that the collage is in there for extra and to try to throw you off.

So ... who is right?!

The answer to the question is a volume not a number count. How much paper? Not how many pieces.

Mikeeee

 

[suzimar57]

3/4

 

[Plantlady]

3/4

I'm a para, stumped with these questions day after day. I don't get to attend the classes, I'm just asked the questions. *oy vey*

 

[SandiH]

They are making collages - they don't need whole pieces of paper for collages. 3/4 is the correct answer unless of course the instructions indicated that they needed the paper whole.

If you are going for thought process only and can rationally explain why 1/2 would be correct, then I suppose that answer works as well.

My vote is still for 3/4.

 

[shortbun]

It's a fraction. 3 divided by 4 = 3/4

This is more like 3rd grade math. Simple fraction.

 

[I Love Pluto]

They each get one full sheet of paper. Student D tells A, B, and C to each take a sheet. Student D will tell mom about the paper required for the project at about 8:55 pm the night before the project is due, 5 minutes before Staples closes.

Do you know my son? This is what he did -- constantly and consistently!


I also agree with 3/4.