MATH IS EVERYWHERE!

We use math when we calculate wind speed...

How Fast is the Wind?

Wind speeds are measured like car and truck speeds. They are measured at the rate they travel in miles per hour.

(Remember a car driving in front of Brooks Hill School should be traveling at 15mph. A car traveling on the Highway 90, the NY State Thruway travels at 65mph.)

I am interested in wind speed today. The lake has white caps. I wondered what the wind speed is, and how high the wind speed is when there are white caps. I think this will involve a little math.

The Webster weather says the wind speed is 21mph. But our tree branches are swaying, and the waves are full of white caps. According to to the wind speeds, (measured by miles per hour on a scale called the Beaufort number,) the wind would be about 25-30mph.

>Questions:

If a normal breeze is 8 mph, how much greater is the speed of 21mph?

If the wind increases, (like the weather folks suggest) to 40 mph, how much above normal is that?

How did you solve that? Did you regroup? Did you use a number line? Did you use mental math?

Below is a table for the classification of wind speeds. A Beaufort Scale shows measurement as well. This table is what meteorologists, (people who study weather) use to explain wind speeds.

Right now, the wind speed in Webster, NY is 19mph. This is a number 3 on the Beaufort Scale. The weather bureau classifies this as a gentle-moderate breeze. Indications currently are that there are small waves lashing on the shore.

>Questions: (Use the table below to help you solve)

What would I notice if the wind became stronger and increased to 40 mph?

If the wind now is 19 mph, and by morning it is calm, how much would the wind have decreased?

Do you think if the winds were predicted to be 40 mph, I should plan to go fishing in a 24 foot (small-ish) motor boat? Why or why not?

What Beaufort number would be good for Kristin to take a paddle board out on the bay?

Please go to bedtimemath.org. ~Everyday of the year there is a new post linking to a real world subject, and interesting questions for you and your family to think about. Sign up for a daily email, or download an app for your phone, or tablet. THIS IS GREAT STUFF!

I took these pictures at Sonnenburg Gardens in Canandaigua. It is a beautiful place to visit.

I always seem to have math questions.

I W O N D E R . . .

1.) If each frog jumped off the log, would they make a splash?

2.) If one leopard frog from jumped the maximum distance (see the from the table above,) and the other leopard frog from jumped half as far, how far would their combined distance be?

Above you see a Pagoda (middle picture on the left.) It is made in a special way. Pagodas

• How would you describe this pagoda?
• Do you notice that math is important in a pagoda's construction?
• What stays the same on each level?
• What changes on each level?
• Do you notice a sequence?
• Do you notice specific shapes?
• Based on what you see, if you were to give directions to someone who was going to build one, what might you include?

https://www.online-stopwatch.com/3d-dice/full-screen/

The above is a slide presentation. You should be able to click through the slides to read and

solve the ice cream problem.

Where is math connected to these photos?

Explain, discuss with a friend, adult, or family how you might choose to use math in one of these photos. Share, listen and respond.

The pictures above are all taken in the Library of Congress building in Washington. The pictures are of the ceilings, walls, and floors. Each of these pictures show amazing math work. Yes, math was a key part of the designing and construction of these beautiful pieces.

Where do you see the math?

Why do we need to know about rounding numbers?