Where is fractions hiding in Super Mario Maker checkpoints?
Split a level into halves, thirds or quarters using checkpoints.
Quick answer
Fractions hide in Super Mario Maker checkpoints when you split a level into equal parts. You can make halves, thirds, or quarters by placing checkpoints strategically to divide your level into equal sections.
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how to split a level into equal parts using checkpoints and how this relates to fractions like halves, thirds, and quarters.
- You can divide a level into two equal parts (halves)
- You can divide a level into three equal parts (thirds)
- You can divide a level into four equal parts (quarters)
- You can explain how checkpoints help make equal sections
Why this matters
Fractions help us understand how to share things equally and divide spaces into parts. When you're building in Super Mario Maker, you're using fractions to make sure each section of your level is the same size. This skill helps you in many real-life situations like sharing a pizza, dividing a garden into sections, or splitting a cake into equal pieces. Understanding fractions is also important for future maths like multiplication, division, and working with decimals.
How it works
When you're building in Super Mario Maker, you can use checkpoints to split your level into equal parts. Here's how:
- First, decide how many equal parts you want (2 for halves, 3 for thirds, 4 for quarters)
- Measure the total length of your level
- Divide the total length by the number of parts you want
- Place checkpoints at equal intervals along your level
- Check that all sections are the same size
Examples you can see
Imagine you're building a long Mario level that is 12 blocks wide. You want to split it into halves, thirds, and quarters to make different sections for different challenges.
Halves: If you split 12 blocks into 2 equal parts, each part is 6 blocks wide.
Thirds: If you split 12 blocks into 3 equal parts, each part is 4 blocks wide.
Quarters: If you split 12 blocks into 4 equal parts, each part is 3 blocks wide.
Real-world example
Think about a football pitch that is 100 metres long. If you want to split it into halves for two teams, each team gets 50 metres. If you split it into quarters for four sections, each section is 25 metres long. This is exactly the same idea as using checkpoints in Mario Maker!
Super Mario Maker checkpoint example
Let's say you're making a level that is 20 blocks long. You want to create a checkpoint every 5 blocks to make quarters:
- Checkpoint 1 at block 5
- Checkpoint 2 at block 10
- Checkpoint 3 at block 15
- Checkpoint 4 at block 20
Each section is 5 blocks long, so you've made quarters of the level.
Try it as a mini adventure
Let's go on a Super Mario Maker adventure! You're a level designer who needs to create a new level for Mario. Your level is 16 blocks long. Your mission is to split it into equal parts using checkpoints.
Adventure challenge: You must create checkpoints to split your level into halves, thirds, and quarters.
Step 1: Split your 16-block level into halves. How many blocks should be in each half?
Step 2: Split your 16-block level into thirds. How many blocks should be in each third?
Step 3: Split your 16-block level into quarters. How many blocks should be in each quarter?
Step 4: Place your checkpoints and check that each section is equal.
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Placing checkpoints at unequal distances
Why it happens: Not thinking carefully about equal spacing
Fix: Measure the total length and divide by the number of parts
- Mistake: Thinking that halves are always 2 blocks
Why it happens: Confusing the number of parts with the size of each part
Fix: Remember that halves mean 2 equal parts, so 10 blocks make 5-block halves
- Mistake: Not using the whole number when dividing
Why it happens: Not understanding that fractions can be whole numbers
Fix: Use division to find how many blocks each section should be
Parent and carer guide
Help your child understand fractions by relating them to Mario Maker. Start by asking questions like:
- How many equal parts do you want to make?
- How long is your level?
- What is the total length divided by the number of parts?
Encourage them to draw a line representing their level and mark the equal divisions. This helps visualize the fractions. You can also use everyday examples like splitting a pizza or a cake into equal pieces to reinforce the concept.
Watch for:
- Confusion between the number of parts and the size of each part
- Difficulty with division
- Not checking if sections are truly equal
Remember to praise their efforts and encourage them to think about why equal parts matter in real life. This makes fractions more meaningful and less abstract.
Practice questions
- How many blocks are in each half of a 10-block level?
- How many blocks are in each third of a 12-block level?
- How many blocks are in each quarter of a 16-block level?
- If a level is 24 blocks long, how many blocks are in each half?
- How many blocks are in each third of a 15-block level?
Answers:
- 5 blocks
- 4 blocks
- 4 blocks
- 12 blocks
- 5 blocks
FAQ
How do checkpoints help with fractions?
Checkpoints help you divide a level into equal parts, which is exactly what fractions are about – splitting things into equal sections.
Can I split my level into more than 4 parts?
Yes! You can split your level into any number of equal parts, like fifths, sixths, or even eighths. The process is the same: divide the total length by the number of parts.
Do I need to be good at math to use fractions in Mario Maker?
No! You just need to understand that equal parts are important. The math is simple division, and you can use your fingers or draw lines to help you figure it out.
What if my level isn't an even number of blocks?
If your level isn't divisible by the number of parts you want, you'll have to make some sections slightly different sizes. But the goal is to make them as equal as possible.
Why do I need to know fractions for Mario Maker?
Fractions help you make levels that are balanced and fair. If one section is much longer than another, it can be harder or easier than intended. Equal parts make for better game design!