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NUMB3RS Activity: Where’s the Source? Episode: “Undercurrents”
Several real-world problems are posed as a way to learn about vector fields in order to make some predictions after analyzing the data. The main problem comes from the tv show NUMB3RS and is based on solving a crime where a body has...
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NUMB3RS Activity: Chains and Pyramids
Watch an episode of the TV show, NUMB3RS and then explore the mathematics of chain letters and pyramid schemes, both of which involve geometric progressions and exponential growth. They discuss why both are dangerous and illegal.
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NUMB3RS - Season 2 - "Convergence" - Air Hockey
Learn how to use a matrix to organize data to solve a problem. This activity uses wins and losses to rank players for an air hockey tournament they wish to have. After practicing some basic matrix operations the class could do the...
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NUMB3RS Activity: Coded Messages
Using matrix multiplication and inverse matrices, students are trying to uncode a coded message. Students encrypt simple messages using 2 x 2 matrices.
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NUMB3RS Activity: Fresh Air and Parabolas
Explore parabolas and investigate linear and quadratic functions to solve problems symbolically and graphically. Also use parametric functions to display trajectories on a graphing calculator.
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NUMB3RS Activity: Financial Futures
High schoolers discuss the calculated risk example in Numb3rs about a businesswoman from a company that made its money trading in futures. They use a formula given by the teacher to compute the estimated value of an investment after...
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NUMB3RS Activity: Implicit Orbits
In this algebra worksheet, learners solve word problems using algebraic equations and implicit differentiation. There are 16 problems dealing implicit differentiation.
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NUMB3RS Activity: Exponential Growth
Mathematicians investigate exponential growth by exploring two different options for receiving allowance. Students use technology to compare a linear function with a constant rate of growth to a function that grows exponentially where...
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NUMB3RS Activity: Settling The Score
Learn how to investigate matrix multiplication. In this secondary mathematics lesson, students examine matrix multiplication in the context of a Homes-Rahe stress test which is similar to the process used to score figure skaters. The...
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NUMB3RS - Season 3 - "Provenance" - Set the Trap
Learners investigate concept of matrices through iteration in this probability lesson. They investigate probability by creating a lesson based on a famous painting. This assignment contains extensions to the lesson.
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NUMB3RS - Season 3 - "Provenance" - Matrix Operations
Learn how to use matrix operations to determine the probabilities that an object will end up at a certain location. The lesson is designed as an introduction to matrix operations and is a step-by- step guide through the process that can...
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NUMB3RS Activity: Riding the Waves
High schoolers use the TI-Navigator system to explore vector fields and make predictions. They also identify what a vector field is and that it represents the movement of water. Pupils try to determine where a bottle floating might have...
Texas Instruments
NUMB3RS Activity: Narrowing the Search
High schoolers explore the length of an n-dimensional vector. In this Algebra II/Pre-calculus instructional activity, students investigate an expansion of the Pythagorean Theorem to n-dimensional space.
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NUMB3RS Activity: Regular Ploygon Centroids
Students investigate geo-profiling. In this secondary mathematics instructional activity, students use geo-profiling to determine the most probable location of a criminal. Students find the centroid of a polygon where the vertices...
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NUMB3RS Activity: A Matter of Half-Life and Death
Students investigate exponential decay. Students explore the biological half-life of Cesium-137. Students investigate the Goiania Accident of 1987 which is considered one of the worst incidents in the history of the Atomic Age.
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Exponential Decay
Students study exponential decay and its application to radiocarbon dating. In this exponential decay lesson, students use candy to model the time it takes for something to decay. Students also graph the data they collect and describe...
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Angling for Distance
Explore the concept of projectile distance through determining the angle that will provide the maximum distance of a launched projectile. High schoolers launch baseballs on a football field and video tape the path of the ball.
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Carbon Dating
Simulate C-14 decay using M&M and Reese's Pieces candies. In this scatter-plot lesson, students perform an experiment to simulate the half life of C-14. Information is plotted on a scatter-plot. Students answer four comprehension...
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Tearing a Piece of Paper in Half
In this secondary mathematics worksheet, students investigate exponential growth as they predict the height of a stack of paper formed by tearing one sheet of paper in half over and over again for thirty tears. The one page worksheet...
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The Labyrinth
Students analyze a basic logic maze based on the Greek myth about Theseus and the Minotaur. Through simulation they determine a winning strategy. At the conclusion of the activity, they design their own mazes for each other to try to...
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The Pythagorean Theorem
Seventh graders relate the Pythagorean theorem to the real world. In this algebra lesson, 7th graders identify important properties of the Pythagorean theorem and use it to solve word problems. They create a step by step plan to help...