Math Links for Week Ending Aug, 14th, 2015

I like it when we can find real examples of math concepts in the news - explicitly. In this case it is Expected Value when talking about the extra point kick in the NFL. Check out this article where they explore some possible changes to the extra point rule due to the fact that, in general, kicking for the extra point has over a 99% success rate and the 2 point conversion rarely happens. Check out the article and the math below
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/20/sports/football/nfl-explores-making-the-2-point-conversion-more-tempting.html

When we talk about bias in statistical studies, it is always good to have some things to back up claims. In this article the author outlines how he was able to orchestrate a study that showed that eating chocolate will help you lose weight. The gyst of the article, I think, is summed up here:

"If you measure a large number of things about a small number of people, you are almost guaranteed to get a “statistically significant” result."

So a perfect example to show students when talking about bias in studies
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
http://io9.com/i-fooled-millions-into-thinking-chocolate-helps-weight-1707251800

Mary at Making Math Meaningful has posted an updated "warmups" file. Warmups are what she uses at the beginning of class. They come from things like visualpatterns.org, Estimation 180 and a host of other sites and now added things from wodb.ca and Open Middle. For the most part it is not new material but having it all in one place could be very helpful. so check out her post and the new updated file
Curriculum Tags: MPM1D, MFM1P, MPM2D, MFM2P
http://marybourassa.blogspot.ca/2015/08/warm-ups-20.html





On the Math = Love blog Sarah has been making posters for her classroom and sharing them. See below for all the recent ones. I am sure that over time there will be more.
Curriculum Tags: All
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2015/07/analyzing-errors-free-poster.html
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2015/07/free-math-symbols-posters.html
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2015/08/free-grit-poster.html
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2015/08/printable-place-value-posters.html
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2015/08/fractions-containing-zero-no-ok-posters.html
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2015/08/always-show-all-of-your-thinking-poster.html
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2015/08/math-super-power-poster.html
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2015/08/perfect-score-first-try-poster-and.html

Here is a neat little activity you can do with your students when dealing with probability. What is experimental probability of rolling a Yatzee (5 dice with the same number) and in this video getting six dice with the same number. You could go on the surface with this and just do the experimental or use tree diagrams or some other method to figure it out theoretically. And then don't forget to look at the rest of Numberphile videos dealing with Yatzee here.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MBF3C, MDM4U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PF52knCy40

I think you could ask some great questions about patterning, series and sequence here
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MPM1P, MDM1P, MCR3U
https://twitter.com/Yummymath/status/631919803175960576/photo/1

Aside from how many cans what other rich or extension ?'s can we ask? #mathchat #maths #mtbos #msmathchat pic.twitter.com/dqz7De0ZD2

— Brian Marks (@Yummymath) August 13, 2015