DPP item B can be used as a Problem of the Week.
Students may use a variety of strategies for this problem including drawing a picture or using fraction circle pieces. As students work, they should recognize that each time someone takes a piece of cake the whole is redefined. See Question 3 for a possible explanation of this problem.
When dad eats his cake, the whole is defined as 6/6 and he eats 1/6, or 1 piece of cake.
The whole for Josh is defined as 5/5 (the remaining 5 pieces of cake) and he eats 1/5 of the whole or 1 piece of cake.
The whole is again redefined as 4/4 before the little brother eats 1/4 of the whole, or 1 piece of cake.
The whole for Shannon is defined at 3/3. She eats 1 piece of cake or, 1/3 of the whole.
The whole for Grandma is defined as 2/2. She eats 1 piece of cake, or 1/2 of the whole.
Mom made a cake for the whole family to share. Dad ate 1/6 of the cake. Josh ate 1/5 of the remaining cake, his little brother ate 1/4 of what was left. Shannon ate 1/3 of the cake that was left on the plate. Grandma had 1/2 of what was left.
