Math Problem of the Week - Lower Elementary - Sept. 26, 2021 to Oct. 2, 2021

Lower Elementary: 

Question: Laura has a heart-shaped necklace charm that breaks into two pieces. If the whole charm weighs 

5¹/₂ grams and one of the pieces weighs 2¹/₂ grams, then how much does the other piece weigh?

Answer:  3 grams

Solution:  To find the weight of the missing part of the charm, we subtract 2¹/₂ grams from 5¹/₂ grams. We can do this by splitting 2¹/₂ grams into 2 grams and ¹/₂ of a gram. If we subtract 2 grams first, we get 5¹/₂ – 2 = 3¹/₂ grams. Next, we subtract the half to get 3¹/₂ – ¹/₂ = 3 grams. So, the missing part of the charm weighs 3 grams.