Yummy Math – real world math

President’s Pay for Presidents’ Day

February 16, 2019

You can't run for President now, but heck, 2036 is right around the corner.

Being President of the United States will be quite an accomplishment and a ton of work. But, how is the pay? Does the job pay millions per year like the pay of some athletes, actors and musicians?

The table to the right gives presidential annual salaries back to 1789. There have only been 5 salary raises EVER for the president. The president's salary is not adjusted annually for a cost of living increase. An act of Congress is required to change his/her salary (only his so far).

So, how much should you expect to make as President in 2036?

Pythagorean Triples and coloring

February 13, 2019

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Pythagorean triples are not only handy for students to recognize but produce some interesting and lovely patterns. We've combined a little coloring with our Pythagorean Triple pattern investigation to let your students relax while they color, view the beauty, and recognize the progression.

The activity: PythagoreanTriples.pdf

CCSS: 8.G.B, 7.G.B, HSG, 8.SP.A, HSS, HSA.APR.C.4

Choosing the NBA All-Star team

February 10, 2019

Sunday, February 17th will be NBA All-Star game. The two team captains are Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) and LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers). These guys were the vote getters among fan/media/players votes. On Thursday, Feb. 7 at the All Star Draft Show they chose their teams from the other all-stars that were voted into the game.

Valentine’s Day (11 possibilities)

February 6, 2019

Sadly, Necco Wafers (made by New England Confectionary Company) went out of business last year. The Sprangler Candy Company, who bought the rights to make those conversation hearts, will not produce Sweetheart candies this year but the little hearts will return in time for the 2020 Valentine's Day.

Which Sweet Heart candies are the best deal? - Students decide which quantity of Sweet Heart candies is the best deal. Ratio tables, unit ratios, devising convincing arguments. 6.RP.2, 6.RP.3, 7.RP.2
Sweetheart Candies - unit rate and ratio activity using those little candy hearts. 6.RP, 7.RP, N-Q

Where have all the flowers ... come from? - Analyze a pictograph to see what can be deduced. Cost of flowers in different countries, source of flowers, how many hours you must work to earn a rose ... 4.OA, 4.NF, 5.NF, 6.RP.3, 7.RP

Lunar New Year 2019 – Year of the Pig

February 3, 2019

Year of the Earth pig

Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, February 5^th. This will be the year of the Earth Pig. The year name is a combination of 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches creating a sequence of year names that eventually repeat.

Students explore the least common multiple of two cycles without ever hearing the term LCM. They explore some of Chinese culture and understand major significance of this annual event, while they “do the math”.

V-o-r-t-e-x

January 30, 2019

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Weather temperatures have been extreme in the World lately. Australia is experiencing an unprecedented heat wave and the U.S. is experiencing a Polar Vortex. Let your students examine these current events while perfecting their integer subtraction, analysis, understanding.