Wholenumbers.html

Denominator Focussed Thinking
Hidden Numbers

Introduction
This interview is based on the game "Hidden Numbers". After checking that the whole number parts are equal, Ricardo chooses the shorter decimal as the larger one. This is consistent with denominator focussed thinking. After his length strategy fails, he opens doors randomly.

Comments: Text in italics
Interviewer: Text in red
Ricardo: Text other colour

Interviewer:
In this game, you have two mystery numbers and try to guess which is larger.

doors

Interviewer:
See the decimal point in both numbers?

Ricardo:
Yes, I guess I'd better look at the whole number part first...

3 -

Ricardo:
So that's a three...

Ricardo:
and that's a three too...So I think the top number is bigger because it's hundredths. The bottom is ten thousandths, so it's smaller.

sad

Ricardo:
ohhhh...

Interviewer:
Let's try again.

Ricardo:
OK...I'll just check the first numbers...

Ricardo:
So, I think it will be the top number with the hundredths again, but I'll have a look here.

Ricardo is cautious because his length strategy failed.

Ricardo:
Ummm... it still could be the top number

Ricardo:
It still could be the top number...

He begins to open doors randomly.

Ricardo:
Yeah, I bet it's the top number.

Ricardo:
Great!!!

Ricardo has made a lucky guess.