Guest Blog post by Robert Kaplinsky
Ready for a problem that will make you rethink how we teach students mathematics? Try solving the fourth grade problem below in less than three attempts.
Using the digits 1 to 9 at most one time each, place a digit in each box to create a fraction that’s as close to one as possible.
For example, you could use the 1, 2, 3, and 4 to make the fraction 12/34. Is that as close to one as you can get? Also, this is not the Price is Right so a little over 1 and a little under 1 are both great. Good luck!
Open Middle Problems
We call these kinds of problem Open Middle problems and there are hundreds of them available for you to use for free on openmiddle.com. Below you’ll see matrices that compare traditionally used problems to Open Middle problems. Use the button below to download high quality, printable PDFs of all of them or preview what you’ll get by scrolling below.
Preview
- Elementary & Secondary Matrix
- Elementary Matrix
- Secondary Matrix
- Third Grade Matrix
- Fourth Grade Matrix
- Fifth Grade Matrix
- Sixth Grade Matrix
- Seventh Grade Matrix
- Eighth Grade Matrix
- Algebra 1 Matrix
- Geometry Matrix
- Algebra 2 Matrix
Elementary & Secondary Matrix
Elementary Matrix (K-5)
Secondary Matrix (6 – Calculus)
Third Grade Matrix
Fourth Grade Matrix
Fifth Grade Matrix
Sixth Grade Matrix
Seventh Grade Matrix
Eighth Grade Matrix
Algebra 1 Matrix
Geometry Matrix
Algebra 2 Matrix
