Mathematic Fraction Game : Divide the Market

Hello, my name is Siwachanat I am a 10th-grade high school student at Satit Demonstration School of Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

For this project, I am making a Mathematic Fraction Game "Divide The Market." This is my school project that I made to improve my junior's ability to combine fractions in mathematics.

Supplies

Software:

• Fusion 360
• Super Slicer

Materials required:

• PLA filament

Tools:

• 3D printer

Step 1: Why I Made This

This game was developed to improve the mathematics of my juniors. Many primary school students find fractions to be less intuitive than whole numbers. In early elementary, we mostly learn the Base-10 system.

With relative ease, we combine, multiply and divide whole numbers, yet fractions are more tricky. One reason students struggle is that when we're away from school we add and subtract, even multiply and divide.  

We rarely apply fractions in our day-to-day life. 

Our goal is to make fractions more intuitive. Playing our game should increase students' problem-solving abilities. The benefit of problem-solving games like ours is that players can try different ways to solve a problem without any negative consequences. Even if they lose, they can re-think their tactics in the next game, thus also improving their knowledge of fractions. 

Step 2: Most Common Fractions

In math, there are three major types of fractions: proper, improper, and mixed fractions. For our test, we will focus on proper fractions. 

A proper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is less than the denominator. 

For our game, we aim to have students combine proper fractions to make one whole. We utilize some of the most common proper fractions: 1/2, 1/3, 1/4/, 1/5, and 1/8.

Step 3: Rules

This game will be played with 2 or more players.

the empty business property building can be set up as many as you will play in one game (depending on how many coins you prepare and print out) . Make sure you have enough coins for a game.

You're given 10 coins based on the dice roll. A number of given coins can be adjusted to suit a number of business properties that you bring into your game. For example, if you want to play with 10 business properties in the game, you can adjust to 15-20 coins for each player. Each coin has a numerator and denominator.

if you use a dice

If you roll a 1 you get 1/2,

a two you get 1/3,

a three you get 1/4,

a four you get 1/5,

a five or six you get 1/8.

or you can use 3D print dice that have a face that have fractions on it.

To play the game you must fill the market with precisely the right amount to make one whole.

Some businesses are valued at 1 and others at 1.5.

For every round, all the players must place one coin on any of the available businesses within the market.

However, if the coins do not make a whole, the player bankrupts the business and no one can no longer invest their coins there.

Play continues until all the real estate is gone and players cannot place any more coins.

The player with the most real estate wins.

Step 4: Make Game Material

All game material is made by 3D printing. I used Fusion360 to design 3D printable parts.

For the coin First, I draw a circle diameter = 2.5cm Then we write a number in the circle.

Then Explode Text, It will give an outline that can extrude on the surface.

To make a 3d coin, you can easily extrude each coin calculate from one height, and divide by fraction.

For example, if I set coin 1 whole height 30mm, then the extrude value that is input in Fusion360 for 1/2 coin will be 30mm/2 and 1/3 coin bill be 30mm/3, etc.

For Business Property make a block that coin will fit inside it. The building height can be calculated by multiplying the value by the height of 1 whole height. For example, if 1 whole height is 30mm, the inside building should height 30mm*1 for one whole or 30mm*1.5 for 1.5 high building. You can make other value to your game like 2 whole, etc.

Step 5: STL File

Here is the STL File for 3D Print. You can use different colors to make identifying which fraction of it easier.

Step 6: Prepare 3D Model and Printing

I use Super Slicer for my 3D printer. You can use any other slicer program. For in fill, just 15-20% will be good enough. If you have different filament colors then it will be good to print each fraction coin in different colors depending on its fraction value as it will help it easily calculate when it is put in the business building.

Step 7: Demonstration How to Play the Game

I post how to play our game on my channel on YouTube: SILN channel. I hope this game will help junior students love mathematics, Please enjoy the game, Thank you.