Slice Fractions
© 2014 Ululab Inc.
1/9/2018 See Slice Fractions 2 Combine "Cut the Rope" style problem solving with a side scrolling venue that gets progressively harder, and you get the idea of Slice Fractions -- an app that gently introduces some deep mathematical ideas, like equivalency, part-whole partitioning and numerator/denominator notation. There's a lot more to this app than fractions. Solving each level requires some higher order 2 and 3 step logical problem solving. You might need to figure out how to lower a ramp first, before cutting a rope that will swing just the right amount of ice into place. You learn that you can "shave" off parts of ice, to approximate a quantity of flaming lava. You do this using a gaming mechanic that asks you to correctly slice blocks of ice and bubbles to clear a path for a cute baby mammoth. Part of the charm of this app is the mammoth, who seems very pleased when you help him. This subtle, simple reinforcement is part of the magic of this app. There are 60 levels, each with realistic physics, and a clear goal. The better you do, the more badges you earn, in the form of silly hats. If you don't succeed, you can do a level over, with a hint in the form of a line that shows where you need to cut. The app does a good job at providing help, and progress is saved from session to session. The designers worked with educators at UQAM University (Université du Québec à Montréal) to design the math curriculum. Update 8/17/2014. A good app gets better, for the same price. Effective August 21 2014, thirty-two additional levels have been added as an update (no extra cost), plus a new underground world with singing mushrooms. Also new: 15 languages (EN, FR, IT, DE, ES, PT, JP, ZH-CN, ZH-TW, KO, RU, TR, SV, DA, NO) and the original levels have been tweaked.
$2.99, Android, iPad, iPhone, Kindle
Teaches: problem solving, math, fractions, logic
CTR Rating: 98%