Math Links for Week Ending Jan 11, 2013

The Desmos online graphing tool has just got better. Now you can use a table feature to either create a scatter plot or show the table of values of a function. Even if you don't want to use the table feature, the fact that you can put multiple graphs on is a great feature. So you could create this cool Ironman graph using only functions and restrictions. That would be a neat assignment for a grade 11 functions class that would really show if they understand domain, range and restrictions (Maybe start with something simpler than Ironman though).
Tables examples: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/6jz8dtpxss
Ironman: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/sruf8wblll
Curriculum Tags: All

A nice resource for intersection of linear relations: The detention buy-out. Including video Minds On intro, PDF worksheet and sample lesson ideas
http://tapintoteenminds.com/2012/12/21/linear-relationships-detention-buy-out/
Curriculum Tags: MFM1P, MPM1D, MFM2P, MPM2D

I like this simple resource for students to practice exponentials. It is just a matching activity but the kind of thing that would take a bit of time to create and low and behold, someone has created it and shared it. I love the internet. For the actual slides, follow this link.
http://audrey-mcsquared.blogspot.ca/2013/01/activity-for-exponential-functions.html
Curriculum Tags: Curriculum Tags: MCR3U, MCF3M, MAP4C

New resources from Texas Instruments. TI-84 links include linear functions, exponentials, quadrilaterals, probability and more
http://link.ti-enews.com/YesConnect/HtmlMessagePreview?a=pi3TM-skG1wkDYGjHuHcCi
Curriculum Tags: MPM1D, MFM1P, MCR3U, MCF3M, MAP4C

Dan Meyer has had a post about his data from the previous year each year for the past few years. He keeps track of all kinds of metrics about himself on a daily basis. He has a challenge for you to do the same starting with your cellular habits. Though I like his favourite summary from 2009 (seen below). Its a great example of showing data that would be good for just about any class teaching single variable data management. I also love the "Behind the Scenes" post that talks about things like the technical aspects of creating the video and how much math went into the production:"Problem: you want the counter to read "0″ at 773 frames into the composition and "44651″ at 795 frames; Solution: a linear equation"
http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=16032
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MBF3C, MDM4U

Dan Meyer's 2009 Annual Report from Dan Meyer on Vimeo.

Vi Hart's latest symmetry installment. Sphereflakes continues on her journey dealing with symmetry and creating snowflakes. This time she does a great job of talking about symmetry by cutting through solids with planes. That part could even be used for some 3D plane discussions in Calculus & Vectors.
Curriculum TAGS: Gr7, Gr8, MCV4U

I have pointed out the falling dominoes chain reaction before but now, it seems, we have some more rigorous mathematics to explain why it happens. Of course you can also look at Dan Meyer's 3Act task that breaks up the video seen below and eventually asks how many dominoes would be needed to knock down a domino the size of a skyscraper (http://mrmeyer.com/threeacts/dominoskyscraper/).
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/509641/the-curious-mathematics-of-domino-chain-reactions/
Curriculum Tags: MCR3U, MCF3M, MAP4C

And here is an even bigger domino topple

I am sure that this wasn't a real Peanuts cartoon but its still funny. Thanks to @ddmeyer for reminding me of this one.

Along the same lines but way less appropriate is this one: