MONSTER Primes!

Our first unit will cover factors and multiples. A special type of number is called a prime number. You'll remember that prime numbers only have two factors: itself and one.

It's easy to rattle off the first few prime numbers - 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13...

But how about when numbers become larger? 4,729 and 7,919 are both prime numbers.

179,424,691 is also a prime number.

So is 797,003,437!

How do you think these huge prime numbers are discovered?

Adam Spencer is an Australian radio host. He isn't a professional mathematician; rather, he is simply fascinated by math like many of you!

 One of his mathematical interests is prime numbers. In his TED Talk, Adam describes how "monster" prime numbers are discovered by mathematicians all over the world.

Why do you think "hunting" for "monster" primes is so fascinating? 

Would you be interested in helping hunt for monster primes?

Can you solve the EINSTEIN RIDDLE???

Good luck - email me your solution showing how you solved for a prize!

Best and Worst Ways to Shuffle Cards

Cheryl's Birthday Problem!

Some of you may have heard about this Singaporean math problem. It has taken the world by storm and many people have been trying to solve it! Can you figure it out??

If you're stumped, check out this video below:

Math 6 Personal Finance Project

In case some of you are confused as to what needs to happen for your personal finance project, check out this brief guide:

1. Complete the paper worksheet.

2. Complete the worksheet in Google Docs.

3. Make your presentation:

• Your presentation should be on one A4 sheet of paper.You may include any information or graphs that you want that will persuade your clients; however the following questions should guide your thinking:
• What is interest? 
• What is compound interest?
• What are the benefits of investing in an account that earns interest rather than sticking it in a box under the bed? 
• Your presentation should be easy for your clients to understand
• Use data from your investigations in Scenarios 1 & 2 as proof in your presentation.
• (These guidelines are also included at the bottom of your Google Docs worksheet)

4. Present the project to your parents and write a blog post about it. Your blog post should include...

• A picture of you presenting to your parents
• A link to your Google Docs worksheet and your presentation
• Thoughtful answers to the following questions (complete sentences, well-written with supporting details):
• What did you already know?
• What did you learn? (from the project? from your parents?)
• How might this affect what you do in the future?
• What was your favorite part about the project? Least favorite part?
• Title: Personal Finance Project 
•  Labels: math, gr6

5. Print out your Google Docs worksheet and your presentation and turn it in on MONDAY, 6 APRIL. Remember, not submitting your project will result in a 0/Fail grade because we spent over 200 minutes of class time on this project.

If you have questions, please make sure to email me.

If you want to look at the rubric, check it out here.

Pi Day Challenge!

Are you ready to take the PI DAY CHALLENGE??

Check it out below!

Writing Equations Challenge!

Have you ever taken a taxi in Singapore? Taxi meters have a system for determining the price riders pay.

Take a look at this website for information on the fees charged by taxi companies in Singapore.

Write an equation that will help you calculate the cost of traveling to Marina Bay Sands at 9pm on Saturday evening.

Happy (Belated) Pi Day!

Did you know that last Saturday (March 14) was Pi Day?

Check out this video for Perfect Pi Day 2015!

When not knowing math can cost you $15,000

The next time you're on a game show, just remember: math can help you win big money!

The question below was featured on an episode of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire."

Try solving the problem yourself, then watch the video to see if you're correct and what happened in the video!

Good luck!

This week's #mathchallenge answer!

Congratulations to Theo, Kushaan, and Ron who all got the correct answer to this week's #mathchallenge!

The correct number is:

64 triangles!

Check out this website for the solution.

This week's #mathchallenge!

How many triangles do you see??

If you don't have Instagram, post your answer as a comment here.

How to win at Rock Paper Scissors!

Have you ever played Rock Paper Scissors? Do you think it's purely up to chance or can there be strategy?
Check out this Numberphile video for some strategies on how to win...

Be sure to play the same during a break and let me know how it goes!

Last Week's Instagram #mathchallenge

Congratulations to Isabella O and Sid W who completed the Super Bowl-themed Instagram #mathchallenge!

The correct answer was:

The next five Super Bowls in Roman Numerals are:
L
LI
LII
LIII
LIV
The next five Super Bowls in Arabic Numerals are:
50
51
52
52
54
(That is taken from Sid's excellent and very complete response!)
Congratulations!

Studying For Your Fractions Summative?

Math 6 students: your fractions summative assessment is this coming Monday!  Make sure you study carefully in order to do well on your test.

The test will cover all operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

There will be questions that are computations (calculate 1/2 x 3/4) and questions that are word problems.  Many questions will ask you to explain your answers in words and draw models (pictures).

How can I revise?

• Review slide sets.  These are linked on each day in the homework calendar.
• Study your operations graphic organizer that we completed in class.  If you completed this well, it will show you the steps and models for all of the operations.
• Check out the Unit Resources page for specific practice on each topic.

If you are struggling with modeling, please watch this video that I recorded.  It walks you through the Check Ups on multiplication and division.

Good luck!!!

Math Fails!!!

Check out these funny math fails.  What makes these fails?  Have you seen any math fails? Post a comment!

#mathchallenge of the week from Instagram

If you have Instagram (and you are at home) post your answer on the post!  If you don't have Instagram (or are at school) post your answer as a comment here!

Logic Games!

How is your algebraic and logical reasoning?  Play this  game to see if you can figure out how much certain objects weigh.

Math in the Real World: Pixar Movies!!!!

You know that math is all around us.  But did you know that math is used extensively when making movies?

Here is an incredible video that discusses how the animation studio Pixar (yes, the same Pixar of Toy Story and Finding Nemo fame!) uses math when producing their movies.

Watch the video and comment responding to the questions below!

1) What surprised you in the video?
2) What math mentioned in the video do you already know about?  What you don't already know about?
3) What would you like to learn more about after watching the video?

Copy Change Flip! Multiply by the reciprocal!

Why do these tricks work when dividing fractions?

In class, we discussed what a reciprocal is, and began discussing why it works.  You also wrote some blog posts answering why you think multiplying by the reciprocal works.

But here is a full explanation - in mathematical terms - on why multiplying by the reciprocal works.

Read the article and write a short summary on why multiplying by the reciprocal works when dividing fractions.  Then, write an example that demonstrates your understanding of the article.

Dots and Boxes

Have you ever played dots and boxes?  Here is a video that shows you how to win every time...