Peer reviewed
Direct linkERIC Number: EJ769640
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0730-8639
EISSN: N/A
Lucky Fractions: Where Bad Arithmetic Gives Correct Results
Osler, Thomas J.
Mathematics and Computer Education, v41 n2 p162-167 Spr 2007
The fraction 16 over 64 has a well known, interesting property. If one incorrectly cancels the sixes, a correct answer of 1 over 4 is obtained. This is an example of a lucky fraction. In this article, the author presents several examples of lucky fractions and proves two interesting properties of these fractions. This article provides students the opportunity to experiment and find new types of "lucky" manipulations.
Descriptors: Mathematics Activities, Mathematics, Mathematical Concepts, Mathematical Models, Equations (Mathematics)
MATYC Journal Inc. Mathematics and Computer Education, P.O. Box 158, Old Bethpage, NY 11804. Tel: 516-822-5475; Web site: http://www.macejournal.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
