Category Archives: Math Minute

#85 Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD)

image taken from https://www.mathsisfun.com/data/mean-deviation.html

Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) is how far, on average, all data values are from the middle.

To find the MAD, you can follow 3 easy steps:

  1. Find the mean of the values
  2. Find the distance of each value from that mean (subtract the mean from each value, ignore minus signs which is also the absolute value)
  3. Then find the mean of those distances

For this Math Mini Spark, you’ll be finding the MAD on a spreadsheet.  Follow the steps below.

Step 1:  Make a Copy of this Spreadsheet by clicking the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ndcgCZ1EeVcKausxtkmBkONVfCeilbQNE6ukdUCWYk8/copy

Step 2:  Watch the video below and complete the steps shown in the video on your own spreadsheet.

Video: https://youtu.be/nGG2xq1COwE

NOTE:  This mini-spark can be used as 1 spreadsheet lesson for the Spreadsheet Superstar Badge.

#84 Doodling in Math Class

What?  Did that say DOODLING?  Yes!

Have fun learning about math while doodling from one of my favorite mathematicians/doodlers…Vi Hart!
Don’t forget to share your doodles with your teacher and/or EY Coordinator.  Maybe you could even organize a math doodle contest for your classroom/school!

#83 The Luhn Algorithm

The Luhn algorithm or Luhn formula, also known as the modulus 10″ or “mod 10” algorithm, was developed in the 1960s as a method of validating identification numbers.  Number communication accuracy can be using this formula

Take time to explore:

Read this article about the formula and how it is used in real life to catch errors when shopping online.  Research the creator Peter Luhn and make a timeline about his life.

In this video you will learn how to use the Luhn Algorithm. Make the table on paper as you watch.

Math challenge presented by CEMC math POTWC-20-NN-PA-21-P . Print it out, read the page and look at the different strategy that they present to you. Try to figure out the last challenge. Answer key for challenge. You can use this to check you work.

 

 

 

#81 Triangular Numbers

Have you seen a question like this before?

How can you solve this problem without drawing a picture on paper?

Use one of the resources below to solve the problem.

  • Use this interactive tool to construct triangular numbers until you can see the pattern to answer the counter question from above.

  • ADVANCED: This is a teaching page that REALLY gets into the math behind these types of problems. Use the formula and see if you can get the right answer.

  • Check out this triangular number chart.  Click on getting started. When you have a solution and a written statement about what you did to solve the problem, check the “solution” button to check your work.

  • Connection: Research the original Light Brite, a 1960s toy. Come up with some unique idea on how teachers can use these toys to teach math, science, and art.

 

Image source: https://nzmaths.co.nz/sites/default/files/TriangularNumbers.pdf

#79 Really Big Numbers

What is the biggest number you can think of?  What does that number mean?  For this math mini spark, you will be exploring some “really big numbers” and what they mean.
In your math notebook, complete the following tasks:
  • In the episode, “Have You Seen This Snail?”, SpongeBob SquarePants is given a challenge of hitting a paddle ball 29,998,559,671,349 times in a row.  This causes SpongeBob to neglect Gary (his pet snail) and so Gary leaves.  Write this number out in words.

image source: https://images.app.goo.gl/6adwmDetkF9r1Vds7

Thank you https://sites.google.com/site/pointlesslargenumberstuff/ for inspiring this this math mini spark.  It definitely sparked my curiosity!

# 77 Organizing Data

We are surrounded by information (data) and it’s important to organize it into presentable and easy to understand ways!
For this math minute, you are going to display some information.  You can choose the topic and the way you represent it.   You must also include 5 questions that can be answered from your information.
If you need some inspiration, you can watch The Great Graph Contest.

#76 World Record Cat

California rescue cat Sophie sets new record for longest fur | Guinness  World Records

Check out this post about the world record cat, Sophie!

September 4, 2020

Sure, most cats are soft and furry. But this one has gone bonkers. Sophie holds the world record for the longest cat fur. Measuring more than 10 inches long, Sophie’s fur might be longer than your own hair. Judging from the look on her face, we’re not sure she likes having all that fur…and you can’t blame her. Her owners have to brush her out 2-3 times every week to keep it neat. But now that she holds the Guinness World Record for furriest cat, maybe it’s worth it.

Your Turn

1. Create a pic collage with the topic from this and some of the facts from the article. Do a bit of research to add a few more bits of information related to the topic.

2. Choose a math question to answer from the list below depending on your age.

3. Add question and the the answer to your pic collage.

Little kids: The previous record holder, Colonel Meow, had fur 1 inch shorter than Sophie’s. How long was Colonel Meow’s fur?  Bonus: They say eating salmon (a type of fish) makes your hair soft and healthy. If Sophie eats salmon twice a day, how many times does she eat it in a week?

Big kids: If Sophie’s fur grows 1 inch every 2 months starting now, could it be 14 inches long by next May? (We’re starting September now.)  Bonus: If Sophie needs 2 more brushings this week (Wednesday through Saturday) on any 2 days, how many different pairs of days could she be brushed?

By Laura Overdeck