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Divide and Conquer

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A Homemade PowerPoint Game By Michael Bruss University of Memphis IDT 7062 M50

The Story of the Town of Denominator

There once was a town in a valley below a high mountain. It was a town full of many races and types of people. Some were fractions, decimals, and even mixed numbers. They all lived in peace and often changed themselves to look like one another. One day a nasty, terrible dragon swooped in and set the town ablaze with his fiery breath. It was the dragon from Numerator Mountain, high above the valley. The dragon terrorized the town all night, until there was nothing left. The town of Denominator didnt know what to do. The town lay desolate and empty. All but one had fled. This is the story of that brave knight, Sir Abacus, who had the courage to stay and reclaim the town from the terrible dragon.

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Game Directions
The goal of the game is to lead Sir Abacus to the mountain and slay the dragon. To play the game you have to follow the path and solve the math questions to progress. To win the game you have to help Sir Abacus slay the dragon.

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Credits
All teachers and students at non-profit schools can use, revise, or adapt this game at will at no cost on the condition that all prior designers are cited.

Originally designed by Michael Bruss The University of Memphis, IDT 7062 M50 4/8/13Date Divide and Conquer

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Educational Objectives
Audience The game is designed for a 6th grade math class Subject Area Objectives Math SPI 0606.2.1 Solve problems involving the multiplication and division of fractions. SPI 0606.2.2 Solve problems involving the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of mixed numbers. SPI 0606.2.3 Solve problems involving the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals. SPI 0606.2.4 Solve multi-step arithmetic problems using fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. SPI 0606.2.5 Transform numbers from one form to another (fractions, decimals, percents, and mixed numbers). SPI 0606.2.6 Solve problems involving ratios, rates and percents.

Language Arts\
SPI 0601.3.1 Identify the purpose for writing (i.e., to inform, to describe, to explain, to persuade). SPI 0601.3.2 Identify the audience for which a text is written. SPI 0601.3.3 Select an appropriate thesis statement for a writing sample. SPI 0601.3.4 Rearrange multi-paragraphed work in a logical and coherent order. SPI 0601.3.5 Select illustrations, descriptions, and/or facts to support key ideas. SPI 0601.3.6 Choose the supporting sentence that best fits the context flow of ideas in a paragraph. SPI 0601.3.7 Identify sentences irrelevant to a paragraphs theme or flow. SPI 0601.3.8 Select appropriate time-order or transitional words/phrases to enhance the flow of a writing sample. SPI 0601.3.9 Select an appropriate concluding sentence for a well-developed paragraph. SPI 0601.3.10 Select an appropriate title that reflects the topic of a written selection. SPI 0601.3.11 Complete a graphic organizer (e.g., clustering, listing, mapping, webbing) with information from notes for a writing selection. SPI 0601.3.12 Select the most appropriate format for writing a specific work-related text (i.e., instructions, directions, letters, memos, e-mails, reports).

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Copyright
Copyright 2003 Michael Bruss Permission to copy this game at no cost is granted to all teachers and students of non-profit schools. Permission is also granted to all teachers and students of non-profit schools to make revisions to this game for their own purposes, on the condition that this copyright page and the credits page remain part of the game. Teachers and students who adapt the game should add their names and affiliations to the credits page without deleting any names already there.

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Time to play Divide and Conquer!

Sir Abacus must begin his journey. He quickly grabs a few things he can scrounge from the remains of his house. He grabs his sword, his armor, and his map to the dragons mountain. He whistles for his horse who was luckily not eaten by the giant beast. He packs his things and gets ready to leave. Before he goes, he decides to check his map. As Sir Abacus examines the map he realizes that he must pass two obstacles before he can reach the mountain where the dragon lives. He must first pass over the Troll Bridge and then through the Frightful Forest. He rolls up his map and set out on his journey.

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Game Directions

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The Trolls Bridge

As he arrives at the bridge, our hero dismounts and carefully walks to the edge of the bridge. Right as he is about the step onto the first plank a giant, nasty, green, smelly troll jumps up on the other side of the bridge.
To pass mine bridge, you must answer mine riddles three. They are not easy, and should you get one wrong, I shall have a tasty treat! I fear thee not! Bring on thy riddles!

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Trolls Riddle 1
Solve:

The Trolls Bridge

Drat, you got the first one right. I see you know your math! I shall have to ask a harder question. I am a student of The Knights Way. That includes math as much as battle. I shall solve these riddles and cross thine bridge!

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Trolls Riddle 2

The Trolls Bridge

You solved my second riddle! None has yet solved my third riddle! Aha, troll! I have studied hard and am making quick work of your riddles!

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Trolls Riddle 3

86.8 90.2 85.4 83.6

The Trolls Bridge

Our hero answers the last riddle and wins the battle of wits with the troll. He wins his passage across the bridge.
I have won this challenge! If I trust in my training and make sure that I follow all of the steps, I am sure that I will prevail. You indeed are a master of the math. But heed my warning. In the forest ahead lives a monster far smarter than I. I hope your math skills do not stop at my level!

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The Frightful Forest

After winning his way across the Trolls bridge, Sir Abacus is feeling confident in himself. He looks ahead and sees the outline of a dark wood. That must be the Frightful Forest, he says. I hope that troll was wrong when he spoke of the monsters ability. I shall find out! Just as he enters the woods, he hears a voice.
Who dares to enter my woods? You may, but only if you can answer three questions. Fail but one of them, and a meal you will be. It is I, Sir Abacus. I am on a mission to Numerator Mountain. May I pass through these woods?

Aye, I know the drill. Lets get started.

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Wolfs Question 1
What is decimal? as a

4.76923077 0.85714286 7.56321839 7.36363636

The Frightful Forest

I see that your math skills are good, but they must be to get past the troll. I will ask a harder one now. It is true. The troll did test my math skills. But my bag of knowledge has not run dry! What else have you?

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Wolfs Question 2
Change to a percent.

82% 80% 83% 81%

The Frightful Forest

GrrrrowwwllllI see that you are indeed a worthy opponent! But there are few who make it to my woods, and I am hungry. Prepare for the hardest yet!

I am prepared, so I am not afraid!

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Wolfs Question 3
Pauls Mom bought 5 used 2

3 lbs. to make pies She made 4 1 applesauce with 1 pounds. How many 4
pounds of apples are left for eating?

1 2 lbs. of apples. She

1 pound 1.5 pounds 1.75 pounds 2 pounds

The Frightful Forest

Again Sir Abacus was put to the test and again his skills in math have saved him! The wolf is left angry and hungry, but a deal is a deal and it agrees to let our knight through. The Frightful Forest is not as scary when the monster is at bay. As he leaves the woods, Sir Abacus sees a distant shadow: Numerator Mountain.
You may have beaten me, but if you intend to slay the dragon, your skills must exceed simple distribution. The Dragon has more tricks than I do!

I am ready. I have trained with Mr. Bruss, the greatest teacher in my realm. Surely his wisdom will see me victorious.

My thanks. I will see you again, Wolf

For your sake I hope so. I will not look for you to pass my way again, but should you, you will have safe passage.

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Numerator Mountain
Upon reaching the base of the Dragons mountain, Sir Abacus can smell the horrible creatures sulfuric breath. The temperature rises as he advances on the mouth of the lair. It is stifling inside his armor. His knees start shaking, but he moves on.
Winged snake! I come from Denominator to make you pay for your atrocities!

And when I answer correctly, you will leave this place forever! Never to bother another human town again!

Your town was a delicious snack, and now you disturb my rest! But I respect the challenge, and pose to you three questions. If you answer incorrectly, I shall finish what I started last night, and destroy you!

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Dragons Question 1
A track is 4km long. Jimmy has jogged 3km. What percentage of the track has Jimmy jogged?

21% 75 % 35% 70%

Numerator Mountain
Sir Abacus slashes The Dragons pride as he answers correctly! Two more hits and The Dragon is vanquished forever!

The first was hatchlings play. With the next, I shall have my revenge for your disturbance!

It was YOU who disturbed my home, and revenge shall be mine! Ask your question, evil lizard!

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Dragons Question 2

39 40 36 48

Numerator Mountain
A second correct answer, and The Dragon roars in frustration! Just one more correct answer, and Sir Abacus is the victor!
You have some skill, I do admit. I shall be sad to set fire to such a brilliant mind when you miss my last!

Old worm! Your logic is as bare as a snail out of its shell! Ask away!

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Dragons Question 3

4 cups of mix and 4 cups of water

3 cups of mix and 4 cups of water

4 cups of mix and 3 cups of water

3 cups of mix and 3 cups of water

Numerator Mountain
With a roar and a spray of fire, The Dragon is banished! He spreads his wings and soars for parts unknown, the safety of Denominator and all towns like it guaranteed by our knights brilliant skills in mathematics!
Impossible! You, a small knight from a wrecked town, have bested a great dragon! I will honor our agreement, knight, and hope we never meet again!

Be off, villain! If you darken our valley with your shadow again, be prepared for worse!

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Wrong
That was wrong, try again before the troll makes lunch out of Sir Abacus!

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Wrong
That was wrong try again quickly, the Wolf is licking his chops!

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Wrong
Ouch! The answer was incorrect, and The Dragon set fire to Sir Abacus! Try again when things cool down

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