Balance scales by using blobs. Explore how many black blobs and white blobs balance each other. Discover the rule that balances the scales with the correct number and type of blobs. For example, 2 black blobs balances 1 white blob. Find out how many black blobs balance 2 white blobs. Build a number pattern. Then use the rule to solve a problem by moving blobs to make the scales balance. Go on to balancing scales with black, white and grey blobs. This learning object is a combination of three objects in the same series.
Students identify that one item can be used to represent a value of more than one.
Students predict the numerical relationship (ratio) between two or three types of items.
Students analyse number sentences and record the equivalent relations.
Balance scales by using blobs. Using unit ratios, such as 1:3, 2: 1 or 1:4, explore how many black blobs and white blobs balance each other. Discover the rule that balances the scales with the correct number and type of blobs. For example, 2 black blobs balance 1 white blob. Find out how many black blobs balance 2 white blobs. Build a number pattern. Then use the rule to solve a problem by moving blobs to make the scales balance. This learning object is the first in a series of three learning objects.