Albany+ Math
Bringing Math To Albany Families
A.K.A.
Family Math Time!!!
Issue #13
Greetings Albany Families!
At its very essence, mathematics is the study of patterns. Mathematicians do three things:
* Mathematicians NOTICE patterns.
* Mathematicians DESCRIBE patterns.
* Mathematicians GENERALIZE patterns.
One of the most fun ways to interact with math/patterns is through games and puzzles. "Albany+ Math" (A+ Math for short) aims to bring to you fun math activities for the whole family. These games and puzzles are intended to be enjoyed together as a family. Project this page onto your big screen TV and go for it! Family Math Time! These activities can be done cooperatively, in competition, or side by side - whichever your family enjoys more (or whichever method will avoid family conflict!). Some of these activities are aimed towards specific age levels while others accessible to all ages. However, don't let our age recommendations limit you - try anything and everything on this page!
Math is a beautiful thing that is all around us and math is meant to be experienced, explored, and enjoyed! We invite you to join us in the journey of experiencing math together through A+ math this year.
WHICH ONE DOESN'T BELONG?
In each set of 4, which one doesn't belong? How do you know? Are there other possibilities? How many different answers can you come up with?
Discuss, chat, and even argue about which one doesn't belong.
Primary
Intermediate
Middle School
High School
Complete each puzzle by filling in the blanks. Can you find multiple solution?
Primary
DOMONIO WINDOW
Use four of these dominoes to form a square with the same number of dots on each side.
Intermediate
VOLUME OF THREE RECTANGULAR PRISMS
Using the digits 1 to 9 at most one time each, find the dimensions of three rectangular prisms so that their volumes are as close as possible. Note: diagram may not be drawn to scale.
Middle School
SIMILAR TRIANGLES AND SLOPE
The three triangles on the line are similar. Using the digits 0 to 9 at most one time each, place a digit in each box for the legs of the right triangles.
High School
SIMILAR TRIANGLES 2
Using the digits 0 to 9 at most one time each, create two similar triangles. You may have as many leading zeros as you like.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
What will the next 3 entries in the pattern look like? Draw.
What will the 43rd entry look like?
Bonus: Can you figure out the equation for the pattern?
MATH ART CHALLENGE:
Overlapping Circles
Try your hand at this week's Math Art Challenge. Click here for detailed directions.
The Challenge: Can you figure out all of the ways that 3 circles can overlap and intersect with each other?
Materials Needed: Curiosity and patience. Whatever medium you like! Please watch ONLY the first 1 minute and 20 seconds of the video below. If you watch more, the answer will be given away! Don’t ruin it for yourself! It’ll be so satisfying if you do it yourself!
Math concepts you could explore with this challenge: circles, combinatorics & permutations, vertices/intersections, radii
MATH GAME -
Humility
by Ben Orlin (math game genius)
Interested in more games by Ben Orlin? Check out his book:
"Math Games with Bad Drawings: 75 1/4 Simple, Challenging, Go-Anywhere Games―And Why They Matter"
game-6-humility.pdf
What do you think the graph is about?
As you slowly advance through the slides
(click the right arrow button),
make predictions about the graph.
ONLINE MATH GAME -
Digit Party
PUZZLE ME THIS, BATMAN!
ESTI-MYSTERIES
DID YOU KNOW?
*Germany borders 9 other countries
*Over 2,500 left handed people are killed a year from using right handed products
MATH FUNNY FOR YOUR TUMMY!
Q: What's a math teacher's favorite letter to use in equations?
A: Eh, it's variable.
Q: Why did the mathematician spill all his food in the oven?
A: The directions said, “Put it in the oven at 180°”.
THINK AGAIN!
I think that in math, the "why" is just as important, if not more important, than the "what." Oftentimes, students are taught an algorithm or "trick" and never know why it actually works. In this video, professor Howie Hua gives a visual demonstration of why "keep, change, flip" works as a trick to divide fractions.