Math LInks for Week Ending Aug. 30, 2013

Data from Twitter has given empirical data to measure the subtle differences between a nerd and a
geek. 2.6 million tweets from Dec 2012 were analyzed to find terms associated with geek and nerd and a cool graph was born.
http://slackprop.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/on-geek-versus-nerd/
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U

From Kyle Pearce we have a new addition to the 3Act Task cannon. This time dealing with linear relations, proportional reasoning and mowing the lawn.
http://tapintoteenminds.com/2013/08/24/mowing-the-lawn-three-act-math-task/
Curriculum Tags: MPM1D, MFM1P

Everyone that teaches quadratics will eventually use a "frame" problem. Here is a nice rework of an already good activity dealing with this type of problem from the I Speak Math blog
http://ispeakmath.org/2013/05/02/quadratic-frames-totally-nguyening/
Curriculum Tags: MPM2D, MFM2P

Is algebra needed? Some words from a novelist telling us why we don't need it. Do you agree?
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-08/argument-against-algebra
Curriculum Tags: All

New from Vi Hart. Doodling in Math class returns. This time the dragon curve fractal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdyociU35u8
Curriculum Tags: all

Everyone needs a calculus cartoon
Curriculum Tags\: MCV4U
http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3087

Math Links for Week Ending Aug. 23, 2013

One of the things that Dan Meyer did this summer is called "Makeover Monday"
where he and his readers take various bits of textbook work and retool them. Here are the results:
Bedroom Area (Area, Rates) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17230
Checkerboard Boarder (Quadratics, Patterning) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17257

Bedroom Carpet (Composite Area, Rates) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17348
Internet Plans (Systems of Equations) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17391
Meatballs (Composite Volume) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17442
Tire Marks (Root Functions) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17499
Postage Rates (Piecewise Graphs) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17502
Ferris Wheel (Periodic Functions) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17501
Shipping Routes (Systems of Equations, Patterning) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17500
Boat Race (Vectors, Geometry) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17503
Penny Circle (Quadratics) http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=17153

Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P, MPM2D, MFM2P, MCR3U, MCV4U

Here is a neat activity that links equilateral triangles and quadratics (or root functions)

http://www.cut-the-knot.org/arithmetic/algebra/ParabolaAndEquilateralTriangles.shtml

Curriculum Tags: MCF3M, MCR3U

One dot, one person. That is, over 300 million dots representing each person in the US. All plotted out and colour coded by race. Neat visualization. Here is the link to the large zoomable map.
http://www.coopercenter.org/demographics/Racial-Dot-Map
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U

I must be fascinated by these things because I know I have pointed them out before. These pictures made of curves are neat. But unrelated to this is a new feature of Wolfram Alpha to "Analyze My Facebook Data". To do this you have to give Wolfram Access to your Facebook page but then it does its magic. Give it a try. 

http://blog.wolframalpha.com/2013/08/12/set-the-curve-with-wolframalpha/

Curriclum Tags: MDM4U, MCR3U

From Edudemic, a nod to McGraw Hill's Eglossary of math
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/08/eglossary-math-glossary-for-middle-high.html

Curriculum Tags: All

A whole pile of I Have, Who Has cards already premade for math.
http://www.mathwire.com/whohas/whohas.html
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8

Here is a really cool algebra puzzle that requires only generating and solving linear equations. Take a look here
http://letsplaymath.net/2013/08/22/puzzle-algebra-on-rectangles/
Curriculum Tags: MFM1P, MPM1D

In this video the boys from Top Gear (UK) take a look at how models scale down in size but actually scale up in durability
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioYE_6Lx_hA
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P

The Big Bang Theory has no shortage of math references. Here's one that could be used as a Minds On for solving linear equations or speed
Curriculum Tags: Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s9td5kvK5c

I still don't know what the 2nd guy says but this is still kinda funny "street math"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stXG3np-BWE
Curriculum Tags: All

I love this one from XKCD dealing with the idea of small probabilities and statements that sound sensational but really aren't 

http://xkcd.com/1252/
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U

Math Links for Week Ending, Aug. 16, 2013

I really like Steven Strogatz. The way that he tries to make math attainable to the average person. He really sees the beauty in math and simplifies it. Listen here for an interview where he talks about his book The Joy of X.
Curriculum Tags: All
http://www.npr.org/2013/08/02/207885870/steven-strogatz-the-joy-of-x


Feynman Point Poems are poems that are based on a particular place in the expansion of Pi. There is a place where there is 6 nines in a row. So these poems all have six words that each have 9 letters. Read about them here:
Curriculum Tags: All
http://poetrywithmathematics.blogspot.ca/2013/08/feynman-point-poems.html

 If you are looking for something that gives students reason to do math here is an example from a farmer who used Pythagorean theorem to create some equipment.
Curriculum Tags: Gr8, MFM1P, MPM1D
http://squarerootofnegativeoneteachmath.blogspot.ca/2013/07/unintentional-math-encounters-of-non.html

Snoop dog playing plinko on The Price is Right. Could be used to demonstrate the binomial theorem or even normal distributions.
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXMSbmhcc6A

I thought this YouTube channel is kind of neat. The Way of Zen. All the videos are done without speaking. Just visuals. Take a look at this one with cuisenaire rods showing the geometric version of Pythagorean Theorem.
Curriculum Tags: Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27M-EMRCN_Y

Interesting findings about why girls don't get into STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering and Math). It turns out its because there aren't enough good female role models in those fields. Its kind of cyclical. Listen here
Curriculum Tags: All
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/08/09/210251404/why-arent-more-girls-attracted-to-physics

When ever there is an airline crash people feel that it is unsafe to fly but in reality flying has become safer and safer. I like it also because it is data per million miles flown so it is relative to flying time. Take a look at the data.
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U