There comes a point where diagrams like this do not illuminate the problem. Multiplication of fractions means "of". What is one quarter of one quarter ? easy, with a sensible diagram. It is my opinion that fractions should be seen as numbers from day one, eg "what is half of six ?", which can be compared meaningfully with "what is 3 times six ?". Send me an email to howard_at_58@yahoo.co.uk and I will send you my paper on what is wrong with basic math (mostly about arithmetic etc).
There comes a point where diagrams like this do not illuminate the problem.
ReplyDeleteMultiplication of fractions means "of".
What is one quarter of one quarter ? easy, with a sensible diagram.
It is my opinion that fractions should be seen as numbers from day one, eg "what is half of six ?", which can be compared meaningfully with "what is 3 times six ?".
Send me an email to howard_at_58@yahoo.co.uk and I will send you my paper on what is wrong with basic math (mostly about arithmetic etc).