Fraction Matcher

Mathematics is often labeled as an abstract science. This is because numbers don’t actually exist as objects, but are rather concepts that we have attribute to objects. You won’t find 7 anywhere in the Universe, but you will find seven planets, seven cats, seven molecules of hydrogen, seven wonders, and so on.

While this concept of numbers can be easily understood by most children, fractions is where arithmetic gets a bit more complicated. Teachers could consider making the process easier by using a program called Fraction Matcher.

Even though it is a program that contains tests, Fraction Matcher can also be considered a good teaching tool. No matter their difficulty level, all the tests involve matching fractions with corresponding geometric patterns. That’s actually a good way to explain the concept; even though fractions have many applications in real life, when you have to give a simple example, the usual topics that come to mind are cooking and shopping discounts.

Unlike other apps developed by PhET Interactive Simulations, Fraction Matcher looks a bit lifeless, but this can’t really be regarded as a downside, considering the topic. You will get a standard smiley face each time you make a correct match, and every test you complete will be celebrated with fraction-confetti, but that’s as far as the animation gets in this program.

There are two categories of tests: Matching Game – which is exactly what its name suggests – and Mixed Numbers – which is identical to the first, nit whole numbers are also added to the mix. There are eight levels of difficulty for each category, and you will be awarded a maximum number of three stars upon completing a level, depending on how many mistakes you made.

While Fraction Matcher is nothing mind-blowing, it can still be considered a pleasant and moderately-challenging test application that can help pupils understand a basic arithmetic concept.