Math Links for Week Ending Sept. 13th, 2013

I am not sure how long this has been around but it seems to be a repository for all of the in house created sketches for GSP. Very inviting site and these sketches really exploit the power of Geometer's Sketchpad. There is stuff for all grade levels and even an indicator for those sketches that are iPad friendly.
Curriculum Tags: All
http://www.dynamicnumber.org/

Despite the title of this TEDx talk (Why Math Instruction is Unnecessary) I like how John Bennett takes us on his journey of discovery that much of the math that we teach is basically just a construct of our curriculum and not really necessary for everyday life. But the real focus of his message is that problem solving and critical thinking are.
Curriculum Tags: All
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyowJZxrtbg

Many have long said that mathematics was the way to a high paying job. Well now I guess we have the data to prove it. The US Census has always asked about income and level of schooling but in their most recent surveys they have also asked what people's majors were. The Planet Money people have a great podcast on the results (long and short versions below). And the survey says: Applied math (engineering, computer science etc) seems top the list. What's at the bottom? Psychology. A couple of things that resonated with me about this were a) that, in general, it didn't matter where you got your degree and b) it really had more to do with supply and demand. If you want the actual pdf of the full study click here.
Curriculum Tags: All
Long version http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/09/11/221417806/episode-485-whats-your-major
Short version http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/09/10/219372252/the-most-and-least-lucrative-college-majors-in-1-graph

I am way behind on the I Speak Math blog posts but this one about how now there are more #mathchat had a Twitter chat about the math topic of the day. Now there are these more specific chats that go on. From middle school math all the way to calculus and statistics. Take a look here for your favourite topic.
specific "chats" about math on Twitter now. For a while every Monday and Friday (I think)
Curriculum Tags: All
http://ispeakmath.org/2013/09/02/weekly-math-subject-chats-are-live-now/

Another great TED talk about visualizing data. Chris Jordan is an artist who creates social commentary art that is often more than it seems (when you look closely at it). For example an image of the Titanic made of 67000 images of mushroom clouds (equal to the number of metric tons of uranium/plutonium being stored temporarily around the US). Check out his website (http://www.chrisjordan.com/) to be able to zoom into his works (there are a lot of them). Here is a perfect way to mix social justice and data management.
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
http://www.ted.com/talks/chris_jordan_pictures_some_shocking_stats.html

"Would you rather...." is a blog that specializes in posing questions that asks the reader to make a choice of two similar situations and use math to justify that choice. There are a lot of different math topics that could be used here but it seems many fit into the Number Sense strand (I could be wrong here as I just skimmed the site). None the less these are great starting points for math conversations.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MFM1P, MPM1D
http://wyrmath.wordpress.com/

These math "mysteries" are all really attainable for many students to understand (ie they can easily mechanically verify them) but they are some of the most famous unproven theorems. A neat way for students to see how proving something definitely can be very difficult. Included are the Goldbach Conjecture, Perfect Numbers and Mersenne Primes (plus people have suggested others)
Curriclum Tags: All
http://plus.maths.org/content/maths-minute-number-mysteries



I like this App to visualize Factoring from NCTM's Illuminations. Too bad it doesn't work on an iPad but its a nice visualization
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=64

Here is a great way to introduce FOIL in secondary and in elementary I like the suggestion made by @emergentmath "Here's your lesson plan tomorrow: Stop the video after 1:30 and ask "why does this work?""
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MPM1D, MFM2P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYrgjMubh-c

I don't think you will ever need to describe how a Venn diagram works if you just show this example. There are more on the main site (http://stephenwildish.co.uk/) though not all dealing with data.
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
http://stephenwildish.co.uk/images/holy.jpg

Redbull sponsored a contest to take the image of extreme thrill seekers in action. Some cool pix but this one fits quite well with modelling quadratics. Just import this into GSP or Geogebra and model the strobed snow boarder with a quadratic. Note that it may look kind of flattened out but that has to do with the fact that the snow boarder is rotating in flight. But it's the centre of mass that follows a parabolic arc.
Curriculum Tags: MPM2D, MFM2P, MBF3C, MCF3M, MCR3U
http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2013/09/red-bull/#slideid-39351

Math Links for Week Ending Sept. 6th, 2013

I really like this example from the Mathalicious blog (even though they make a spelling mistake in the title - though @mathtans suggests this is on purpose prisn = prison). I saw this graphic earlier in the week when the blogsophere was making fun of it but Mathalicious has found a way to make it relevant to the math classroom. It deals with the idea of false positives in large samples. I have always gravitated to these examples as they really accentuate the problems with any sort of testing where the results are based on a probability or percentage.
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
http://www.mathalicious.com/2013/09/prisn/



I have been starting to create some simple Geometer's Sketchpad files that could be used as a Minds On or intro to lessons. This one is a simple sketch that allows students to visualize a guess of how big a percentage is. They can check their answer, get a hint and then reset the question so it randomly changes the situation. It was designed to use the iPad version of GSP, Sketch Explorer. Try it out
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P, MAT1L
http://sketchexchange.keypress.com/sketch/view/823/percent-guesser

Here is a nice application of percent that is very real world. Dealing with percents of percents when talking about resource use on an Android phone.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P, MAT1L
http://www.androidcentral.com/new-google-services-uses-more-battery-old-and-google-needs-fix-battery-screen-already


I like this activity because its hands on and its about sampling. Specifically dealing with the idea of the effects of sample size. Thanks to Dan Meyer for this one.
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
http://17goldenfish.com/2013/04/23/first-past-the-post-and-the-dreaded-disease-z/





Here is a nice real world optimization problem that deals with perimeter, area and money. Basically, how much money would you save to try to build this playpen on your own. Thanks to Dan Meyer for this one too.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P
http://mtsmc.blogspot.ca/2013/04/patio-math-toddler-edition.html






I don't want to spread negativity but this blog post about a Khan Academy video seems right on. It kind of exemplifies how the Khan videos are not really stelar in terms of the teaching (in this case having out right mistakes). They serve a purpose but they shouldn't be your go to resource. But that is not really why I like this post. I liked it because it uses something I hadn't heard of before (or at least didn't know the name of before). Using a two-way table instead of a Venn diagram. I agree that this seems to be way more informative than the Venn diagram. Check it out.
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
http://learnandteachstatistics.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/khan-academy-probability/


There has been a lot of blog posts about analyzing Double Stuffed Oreo's to see if they are actually double stuffed. Here is a tweak dealing with systems of equations.
Curriculum Tags: MPM2D, MFM2P
http://christopherdanielson.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/college-algebra-with-christopher/


Yummy Math has a nice activity that uses an infographic from visual.ly about the amount of caffeine in various coffees. As it is with all Yummy Math activities there is a worksheet but if you want the solutions and an editable version of the worksheet.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8
http://www.yummymath.com/2013/how-much-caffeine/

I think that these four suggestions are good though more relevant as kids are younger. I certainly agree that speaking well of math is the first step. We have an uphill battle in the math arena since most people have an easy time dissing math and of course that filters down to kids and then we get them as students. But I like the suggestion to play games. Using dice, cards, and problems solving skills on a regular basis is going to help kids in math class. Check out the other tips here.
Curriculum Tags: All
http://www.edudemic.com/2013/08/four-tips-parents-encourage-math-skills-home/

I think this building was designed by Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. An application of parabolic focussing.
Curriculum links: MFM2P, MPM2D, MCR3U, MCF3M, MBF3C
http://io9.com/new-skyscraper-unexpectedly-generates-a-solar-beam-that-1263670017

Here is a scientific and topical example of periodic phenomenon. The reversing of the Sun's magnetic field. Could possibly be modelled with a sinusoidal function with a period of 11 years. Thanks to Joe Goulet for this one.
Curriculum Tags: MCR3U
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2013/09/the-suns-magnetic-field-is-about-to-reverse/

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

Math Links for Week Ending July 12th, 2013

Still pretty busy these first two weeks of summer so some lite links with images from Indexed (for all of your Venn Diagram and interesting graph idea needs as well as some probability from XKCD
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P, MDM4U

http://thisisindexed.com/2013/07/im-your-third-cousin-once-removed-by-divorce-and-once-removed-by-cps/

http://thisisindexed.com/2013/06/courtesy-prevents-murder/

http://xkcd.com/1236/

Math Links for Week Ending July 5th, 2013

I'm on vacation this week so only a few links this time.

Last week I posted a video of this activity. Thanks to Linda Hoskins for this one
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L574
Curriculum Tags: Gr8

I think there are some neat sites listed here. Math Based Paintings, Real Math Mysteries, Geography math and more
http://christinapilkington.com/2011/06/15/10-unusual-ways-to-explore-math/
Curriculum Tags: All

Here is a really good video on applicatons of transformatons using animation. This could apply in grade  7 and 8 but also any course that has transformation of functions or even as an application of vectors. And if you want to explore animation with your students more then try the Pivot Animator. A free online tool to make animations. Thanks to Chad Hopewell for these.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVtz55mIuz4
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MFM2P, MPM2D, MCR3U, MCF3M, MBF3C