M&M Fraction, Decimal, Percent Conversions

M&M Company’s claim that 30% of the milk chocolate M&Ms in a bag are brown, 20% are red, 20% are yellow, 10% are orange, 10% are green, and 10% are blue. Is this true? How do you prove it?

Students will receive a baggie with a variety of colored M&M’s. Their job will be to see how many of each color they have and then convert that into a fraction, decimal and percent.

For example, if a student has 4 out of 10 blue M&M’s, it would be 2/5 for a reduced fraction, 0.4, and 40%!

DO NOT EAT YOUR M&Ms UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD!!

1. Count the total number of M&Ms you have in your bag.  Write that number down here: _____________
2. Count the number you have for each color:

3. Now, write a FRACTION for each color of M&M you have.  Remember, the TOTAL number of M&Ms needs to be the denominator (the bottom number).  You can find your denominator by looking at your answer for #1.

Raise your hand when you’re done.  When the teacher has checked your answers, and given you permission, you may eat your work.

Grade 5
5.NOF.3 Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator (a/b = a ÷ b). Solve word problems involving division of whole numbers leading to answers in the form of fractions or mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations…
Number & Operations in Base Ten
5.NO.4 Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.

Grade 6
Ratios & Proportional Relationships
6.RPR.3 Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems, e.g., by reasoning about tables of equivalent ratios, tape diagrams, double number line diagrams, or equations. Make tables of equivalent ratios relating quantities with whole-number…