Category Archives: Math Mini Sparks

#102: Friendly Numbers

Math Mini Sparks

Friendly numbers are a special type of number that have a unique connection with other numbers. To understand this relationship, we will add up all of the factors of a number and then we look at the index of a number and compare it to the index of another number.  Check it out in this mini spark.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #102: Friendly Numbers

2. Review factors. Read this paragraph and when you are done write the factors of the number 40 on your recording sheet.

Factors are numbers you multiply together to get another number. A factor of a number divides the number evenly, with no remainder. What are all the factors of the number 8? 1 2 4 8 What are all the factors of the number 24? 1 2 3 4 6 8 12 24

3. Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see if you have the correct numbers for step 2. If you do put a star on your page. If you do not, add the correct numbers.

4. Look over these 6 questions before your start watching the video.

  • Stop the video at 2:57. In two sentences, describe how 12 and 234 and are friendly numbers.
  • How many perfect numbers are there. How has this number changed since 2011?
  • What is is called if you don’t have a friend? Name a few of these types of numbers.
  • Pause the video at 8:40 and write down all of the friendly numbers on his chart.
  • What are the yellow numbers?
  • What is 10’s index?

 

5. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator

 

 

 

Answers for step 3

Factors of 40 are 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 40

#101: Volleyball Roster Math

Math Mini Sparks

There is a wealth of information when it comes to volleyball! Whether you’re examining individual player statistics, team standings, or breaking down a specific match… MATH IS EVERYWHERE IN VOLLEYBALL!

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #101: Volleyball Roster Math 
  2. This Mini Spark has you looking at the 24-25 Westside High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball Roster.  Download and print a copy of the worksheet and roster.
  3. Add a picture of your finished worksheet to your math mini spark page.
  4. Share your math mini spark recording page and your worksheet with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Roster Math Badge at the EY website.

 

#100: Checkerboard Math

Math Mini Sparks

Count all of the squares on the checkerboard or a chessboard- This is a classic problem. You will look at how to solve it using drawings, using patterns, and solving a simpler problem. Also look at how how to solve a variation of this type of problem that may pop up on math contests.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #100: Checkerboard Math

2. Print a  paper copy of a checkerboard.

3. The challenge for this mini spark is to count ALL of the squares on the checkerboard. Start watching this video, pause to copy the chart he creates and STOP at 2:40. Record the answers to these 3 questions.

How many squares on an 8 X 8 board?

How many squares on an 1 X 1 board?

How many squares on a 2 X 2  board?

 

4. Figure out the next answers using your chart and the copy of the board you printed. Without watching the rest of the video try to find the answers for each of the following questions.

How many squares on a 4 X 4 board?

How many squares on a 5 X 5 board?

How many squares on a 6 X 6 board?

How many squares on a 7 X 7 board?

5. When you have a solution click  to watch the rest of the video to see if you have recorded the correct numbers.

6. Solve this second problem written by CEMC math. Print this board if you want a new copy to help you. Record all of your work and your answers on your mini spark recording sheet.

Bart and Lisa counted all squares on a checkerboard.   On the same checkerboard, they decided to count the number of small rectangles-1 unit by 2 units  or 2 units by 1 unit. 

They were careful to count all of the overlapping rectangles. If they counted correctly, what was their total? Look at this picture before you start. 

***Reminder for your teacher that the solution can be found in the math mini spark folder.

7.  Share your math mini spark recording page and boards with your teacher/EY coordinator.

You can use step #6 as one of your problems for the Problem of the Week CEMC Math badge that can be found on the EY badge page.

 

 

#99: Applications of Mathematics

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

I didn’t know you needed to know math for that!

Find out how math is used in movie graphics, roller coasters, swimsuit design, and so much more!

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #99: Applications of Mathematics
  2. Explore this website and find a topic that interests you.
  3. In your math notebook, record the topic title and 1-2 interesting things you learned.
  4. Repeat until you have read and recorded information about 10 math topics.
  5.  Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#98 Chocolate Math

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Chocolate’s flavor is a combination of sweetness, bitterness, and creaminess that many people find irresistible. We celebrate national chocolate day in July every year. Check out this math mini spark to learn more about chocolate and math.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #98 Chocolate Math
  2. Read this Bedtime Math post about the world’s largest chocolate kiss!  Do one of the math questions on your recording page before scrolling all of the way down to see the answer.

A Day for Chocolate

3. Check out this math trick that reveals your age and how many times a week you like to eat chocolate at this chocolate math site. Write about this site?

4. Read about chocolate facts at this site. Create a math data page with all about chocolate. Include at least 8 facts

Fun Facts About Chocolate

5. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Chocolate Lessons badge at the EY Website.

#97:The Mysterious Mobius Strip

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Möbius strip, a one-sided surface that can be constructed by affixing the ends of a rectangular strip after first having given one of the ends a one-half twist.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #97 The Mysterious Mobius Strip

2. Watch this introduction video. Record 5 details on your recording sheet.

 

3. Follow the steps on this site  to make  a Mobius strip.

4. Take a picture after completing your mobius strip and add it to your recording page.

5. On your mini spark page, record interesting ideas from this mini spark.

6. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator

#96:Different Types of Numbers

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized
Real or Imaginary? Rational or Irrational? In this Mini-Spark, you will learn about different types of numbers and their classifications.
Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #98 Chocolate Math

2. Start by watching  this video. Take notes on your recording sheet while you watch.

 

3. Choose a worksheet version below to complete.

PDF Version

 Docs Version

4. Share your math mini spark recording page and your worksheet with your teacher/EY coordinator

#95: The Chaos Game

Math Mini Sparks

In mathematics, the term chaos game originally referred to a method of creating a fractal, using a polygon and an initial point selected at random inside it.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #95: The Chaos Game
  2. Watch this video. Record details on your recording page.

3. Watch this video to learn how to play The Chaos Game. *****This video is long–> looking for other video

Follow the instructions in the video.  Take a screenshot of your final picture and add it to your recording page.

4. Link to the GeoGebra Website to find the chaos game.

4. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

# 94: Pixel Power

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Pixels are the smallest unit in a digital display. Up to millions of pixels make up an image or video on a device’s screen. Each pixel comprises a subpixel that emits a red, green and blue (RGB) color, which displays at different intensities. In this mini spark, you will learn about the basics of pixels and pixel colors.  

Spark your math thinking!

1. Start by taking out your math notebook or opening your math mini spark doc.  Put the date at the top and put the title of this mini spark. Record all of your work on this page.

2. Use this slideshow of images, which zooms a picture of raft. The final slide shows that the entire photo is actually made from individual squares of color. How does looking at these pictures help explain creation of the digital images that you see? What other images might you see today that are made from pixels?

 

3. Watch these two videos. The first video is a reminder binary numbers. It will help to see this before watching the second video. Take notes as you watch both videos.

4. After watching the second video answer these questions in your notebook. What is the RGB name for turquoise? How does a computer name turquoise? Draw the math steps that were used in the video to explain how a function is used to filter an image.

5.  Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Playing with Pixels badge at the EY website.