Chocolate Maths!

The B4 children were excited to walk into the classroom before school and find blocks of chocolate sitting on some of the tables!

One table had one block, one table had two blocks and one table had three blocks.

Mmmm, mouths were watering!

At maths time, some children were invited, one at a time, to think about this question then choose a table to sit at:

"If the chocolate on the table I sit at is to be shared out equally when I sit down, which would be the best table to sit at?"

After six children had chosen a table, there was: 

one child at the 1-block table, 

three children at the 2-block table, 

and two children at the 3-block table.

At that point, the class had to figure out how much chocolate the children at each table would get.

At the 1-block table, the child would get the whole block.

At the 2-block table, the three children would get less than a whole block but more than half a block each.

At the 3-block table, the two children would get a whole block plus half of another block each!

Then, one-by-one, children were invited to think about the question and choose a table to sit at.

It didn't take long for the children already at the tables to realise that when others came to their table, their share of the chocolate decreased!

Looking very pleased to have a whole block to himself!

Oh no, I'm only getting half a block now!

Four people sharing now - that's only a quarter of a block each.

A fifth share is not going to be much.

Oh heck! Only going to get a seventh!

Meanwhile, the other tables were also getting a bit crowded, and the potential share of chocolate were also 

getting smaller.

Luckily, when we finally shared some of the chocolate, everyone got a fair share, plus we have some to use another day!

If there is one child sitting at the 2-block table, one at the 1-block table and two at the 3-block table,

which table do you think Child 4 should sit at?

Note: This Chocolate activity comes from nrich.org