Max Maths, Year 6, Learn together, Word problems (2)

In a Max Maths lesson for Year 6 students, the concept of proportions is explored through engaging word problems. One such problem involves a bowl containing a total of 16 pieces of fruit, comprising 8 kiwi fruits, 6 mangoes, and 2 bananas. To understand the proportion of each fruit type within the whole, students are encouraged to visualise the problem with a diagram. By comparing the number of each fruit to the total, they discover that kiwi fruits make up half of the bowl's contents, as 8 out of 16 simplifies to 1/2. Similarly, mangoes represent 3/8 of the fruit, and bananas account for 1/8, allowing students to see the fractions in a real-world context.

The lesson continues with a practical exercise titled "Let's Try It," where students apply their understanding of proportions to a different scenario. This time, the word problem involves a pizza cut into 16 equal slices, with Padma eating 4 of them. Students are asked to determine what fraction of the pizza Padma has consumed. By using a circle diagram as a visual aid, they can easily see that Padma has eaten 4/16 of the pizza, which simplifies to 1/4. This activity not only reinforces their skills in fraction reduction but also helps them visualise and solve real-life problems using proportions.