The Similarity and Proportions Worksheet answers questions that students may have about what percentage each item is in a certain category. For example, if they have an answer about the tile flooring, they may want to know how many tiles would be necessary to cover the floor. This worksheet will help them figure this out.
A word of caution here: tiles are not equal size. There is always one tile smaller than another. A little comparison can make for a very easy calculation. Here is how the homework works: The student takes each item and notes down how many times it is smaller than another.
Then the student has to look up the corresponding cell in the table and look for the number that is smaller than the other. The teacher makes sure the answer is in parentheses and at the bottom of the paper. Then the student has to write the equivalent size in the space provided. Then, he or she has to cross out all the cells that do not contain that value.
This is a good rule for using the Similarity and Proportions Worksheet. Any time you see something like this in the cell on the top row of the table: “0.00” It means there is no value for that cell.
Students should also try to make sure that they compare different sizes. If they compare the sizes of a sofa and a chair, they should write that number in parentheses. Also, when using the Similarity and Proportions Worksheet, try to be as precise as possible.
Proportionality does not mean that the items in the group of similar items is even, nor does it mean that they should be averaged together. That is the equivalent of trying to solve a problem by taking the average of each part of the group of similar items.
The main reason for creating a Worksheet like this is that students have so many factors to consider when doing their homework. Some students may be very interested in the exact value of one item, while others may be more interested in the sum of all items. The Worksheet is just an aid to help students with both of these.
Knowledge and accuracy are a must in these kinds of worksheets. When the student is able to answer some of the questions, they are rewarded with a better grade.
