Sparking A Fire With Real Sparking A Fire With Real Life Mathematical Life Mathematical

InvestigationInvestigationLamont Holifield, M. Ed., CICS Ellison

Imathination 2012 Math BashFriday, January 20, 2012

Sparking A FireSparking A Fire

Rationale for this topic:

In many schools, we struggle to engage students in the Mathematics Classroom.

Many teachers claim that they have made connections to the real-world by ending the lesson listing ways that the math is used in the real-world.

The reality is that we must find a way to aid students in learning without realizing they are doing mathematics.

Investigation #1: The People Dilemma

It took 6 people 8 days to build a brick wall.The construction crew needs to build an identical wall but need it done faster. If they add two people to the crew, how long will the brick wall take to build now?

Think 1

1 person: 48 days 2 people: 24 days3 people: 16 days4 people: 12 days6 people: 8 days8 people: 6 days

Chief Skill: Combination that multiply to total 48.

Investigation #2: The Pay Day Loan Dilemma

“I have a great deal for you. Only 16-2/3 interest every two weeks!”

Have students engage in the calculations.

Quick-Loans at 16.67% InterestDouble Every 9 Weeks

Week 9: $200Week 18: $400Week 27: $800Week 36: $1600Week 45: $3200Week 54: $6400Week 63: $12,800

Week 72: $25,600Week 81: $51,200Week 90: $102,400Week 99: $204,800Week 108: $409,600Week 117: $819,200Week 126: $1,638,400

Week 135: $3,276,800Week 144: $6,553,600Week 153: $13,107,200Week 162: $26,214,400Week 171: $52,428,800Week 180: $104,857, 6000

Week 312: 3,000,000,000,000

Investigation #3: Media and Government Math Mistakes Have Consequences

An article making fun of math mistakes goes on to say:

“The formula works for a right triangle not an isosceles.”

“The sum of the squares of the two legs of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the square of the remaining side” –Pythagorean Theorem

Investigation #4: Probability and U

Find the probability of someone snoring.

Solution:

Investigation #5Algebra and the Birthday Problem

Presenter will read the steps. All will follow the steps and be amazed to get their birthdays.

Presenter will then guide students in doing the algebra and helps students to create their own mathematical games.

Investigation #6:Test Your Memory Residual Line Activity

Statistics and AP Statistics

◦Prior to creating, have students give you a list of their favorite celebrities (sports, movie stars, politicians)

◦This activity will allow students to guess the age of those on the list. After which you will provide them with the actual ages. They will compute the residuals and complete an activity which will aid them in understanding the residual plot and line of best fit.

Great Resource For Many Other Activities

25 Real Life Math Investigations That Will Astound Teachers and Students, by Edward Zaccaro

Thanks for Your ParticipationThanks for Your Participation

Contact Me:

Lamont HolifieldCICS-Ellison High School1817 W. 80th StreetChicago, IL 60620lholifield@cicsellison.org773-307-0734