Question 74

Making a connection to money to show how four quarters make up a dollar will best help the student.

Using the concept of money, specifically how four quarters equal one dollar, provides a tangible and relatable way for the student to understand the conversion of the fraction 3/4 to a decimal. This method not only makes the concept more accessible but also helps the student visualize the relationship between fractions and decimals.

A) Demonstrating how a percent can be converted into decimals or fractions

This option may be confusing for a third-grade student who is already struggling with basic fraction to decimal conversions. Percentages introduce an additional layer of complexity that is not necessary at this point, potentially overwhelming the student rather than aiding in understanding.

B) Making a connection to money to show how four quarters make up a dollar

This strategy is effective because it relates the fraction 3/4 directly to a familiar concept. By using quarters, which are pieces of a dollar, the student can easily grasp that 3 out of 4 quarters represents 75 cents, thus illustrating that 3/4 equals 0.75. This concrete example simplifies the conversion process.

C) Explaining that the denominator of a fraction is the total number of parts needed to make a whole

While this explanation is somewhat accurate, it does not directly assist the student in converting the specific fraction 3/4 to a decimal. It provides a foundational understanding of fractions but lacks the practical application needed for this particular conversion.

D) Writing out the decimals to show that the fraction can be written as 7 tenths and 5 hundredths, or 75 hundredths

This option could confuse the student, as it presents an incorrect conversion of the fraction 3/4. The correct decimal representation of 3/4 is 0.75, not 0.75 as two separate components. This could lead to misunderstanding and frustration rather than clarity.

Conclusion

The best strategy for helping the student convert the fraction 3/4 to a decimal is to make a connection to money, as described in option B. This approach provides a relatable context that simplifies the conversion process, while the other options either introduce unnecessary complexity or present incorrect information. Therefore, option B is the most effective choice for enhancing the student's understanding.