Students determine the sum of an infinite geometric series.  In this determining the sum of an infinite geometric series instructional activity, students discuss how the sum of an infinite geometric series is a paradox. ...

Learners investigate why theoretical probability doesn't always match reality. The activity involves using Python 2.7 (or Sage) to set up a Bernoulli Trial. It also involves setting up a spreadsheet to simulate the Birthday Paradox....

Traffic is a very real concern for any Urban dweller. After watching a video showing various traffic issues and solutions, learners group up to discuss and develop innovative traffic solutions of their own. They explore vocabulary and...

What's the least number of colors needed to color a U.S. map? The lesson begins by having pupils view a video clip on continuous and discrete phenomenon, then launches into an activity reminiscent of Zeno's paradox. A separate video...

Students explore the concept of fractals. In this fractal lesson, students use applets to explore Koch's Snowflake, Sierpinski's Triangle, and other fractals. Students develop these concepts through exploration and teacher guided...

Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of infinity as defined in a series by geometry. The lesson integrates the use of philosophy to help them comprehend how infinity can possibly mean while investigating the...

Motivation is key to learning. The author points out that it is important to engage intuition for aspects of statistics that pupils find counter-intuitive. Three strategies—using multiple representations, using intuitive analogies, and...

Pupils learn to solve square root equations and rationalize denominators. Problems include those with extraneous solutions. 

Students calculate the determinant. In this algebra lesson, students find the determinant and use to calculate the area of a triangle. They calculate the area of a quadrilateral in a plane.

Students view a video clip on time travel. They work together to complete a worksheet on measuring time. They discuss the different perceptions of time.

In this geometry worksheet, students answer questions about triangles and trapezoids as it related to the area of a shape. They make their own polygons and calculate the area.

Students make estimates on how many people they believe live on Earth. While watching a video, they take notes on the issues facing Kenya, Japan and India. In groups, they calculate how long it takes for a country to double in size. To...

Students investigate the concept of infinity. They read a story, discuss the concept of infinity from the story, and create an illustration of the hotel described in the story.

Students see that light and heavy objects fall at the same rate, as established experimentally by Galileo. They see that falling objects, and balls rolling down an incline, tend to accelerate at a constant rate a. Their velocity...

In this word worksheet, 9th graders examine pictures and write a mathematical phrase to describe the picture.  This one-page worksheet contains 25 problems.  Answers are provided.

Students play a probability game, then design and complete a probability problem concerning changing odds.

The Infinite Hotel, a thought experiment created by German mathematician David Hilbert, is a hotel with an infinite number of rooms. Easy to comprehend, right? Wrong. What if it's completely booked but one person wants to check in? What...

This project shows how mathematical probability sometimes contradicts our intuition. Despite the fact that there are 365 days in a year, if you survey a random group of just 23 people there is a 50:50 chance that two of them will have...

This tutorial demonstrates that the chances of two people in a small group having the same birthday are extraordinarily high. Take a look at the mathematics behind the calculation. [3:07]

This fantastic resource addresses many aspects of series and convergence. Uses interesting and helpful examples. Provides the option to follow links to proofs and answers to exercises. Also discusses Zeno's paradox of Achilles and the...

Looks at what is known about the life and work of Zeno of Elea, and explains several of his Paradoxes and how others, including Aristotle, viewed them.

Students are introduced to the Monte Hall Paradox and the storm of controversy it provoked when it appeared in the Ask Marilyn column of Parade Magazine. The letters and testimonials challenge students and generate animated classroom...

Describes the little that is known of Zeno of Elea's life. Also discusses his denial of motion and plurality hypothesis. He explained his ideas using paradoxes that continue to challenge intellectual minds today, and that have had a big...

Use this NOVA lesson to discuss the nature of time and the grandfather paradox. Examine time from different perspectives by plotting ages on a timeline, estimating how long a minute is and imagining going back in time to change something...