Grade 5 · Fractions
Solar-project planning: take a fraction of a fractional area
A unit-square design for a model solar-energy project uses 1/10 of the width and 10/10 of the height. Change the controls and explain what the animation reveals.
Predict what will happen, press Play, then pause and explain what changed. Every control also works without playback.
Watch the relationship
PausedHD animation studio
From experiment to screen.
Present a crisp Canvas scene, save a full-HD image, or capture your model as a silent video.
Understand what you are seeing
The idea behind the motion.
A unit-square design for a model solar-energy project uses 1/10 of the width and 10/10 of the height. Taking a fraction of a fraction is represented by the overlap of two selections. A ten-by-ten square has one hundred equal small squares, so the overlap can be counted in hundredths of the whole. The overlap contains 10 hundredths. It is at most either original fraction because both selections are between zero and one.
A relationship to keep
1/10 × 10/10 = 10/100
Read the symbols alongside the explanation. A diagram shows the relationship; the assumptions tell you when it applies.
- STEP 1
Read the starting situation
A unit-square design for a model solar-energy project uses 1/10 of the width and 10/10 of the height. Identify what each number measures before changing a control; the worked example refers to these starting values.
- STEP 2
Follow the mathematical change
Select columns first, then reveal the chosen rows. Count only the squares belonging to both selections. Pause on an intermediate frame and compare the picture with the live readouts.
- STEP 3
Explain and test the relationship
The overlap contains 10 hundredths. It is at most either original fraction because both selections are between zero and one. Change one input, predict its effect, and test whether the same relationship still works.
Your turn to explain
Make a prediction. Test your reasoning.
Solar-project planning: use the original situation. A unit-square design for a model solar-energy project uses 1/10 of the width and 10/10 of the height. What exact fraction of the unit square belongs to both selections?
Use the values specified in the question. Reset restores the initial values for this investigation.
Compare your explanation
10/100 = 1/10. Multiply the selected column and row counts, keeping the full 100-square whole.
Work through a full lesson
Connect the animation to a worked example and practice questions.