Activity Detail
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Activity Overview

Students find a sample of a given size with a given mean. Students will show one way 100 families can have a mean of 2.58 children and understand the meaning of the term "average."

Before the Activity

  • Understand the concept of "average" in mathematics
  • Study the calculator keystrokes as explained in the activity
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 13 - 18 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:
  • Prepare a plan to show exactly 100 families that have an average of 2.58 children
  • Understand that since the mean is between 2 and 3, some families with 2 children and some families with 3 children should be used for the sample
  • Realize that since the mean is closer to 3 than 2, more families with 3 children should be used
  • Record the number of families which have 2 children
  • Record the number of families which have 3 children
  • Make a plan with exactly 100 families
  • Calculate the total number of children
  • Try to ensure that the total number of children does not exceed 258 [because the mean is 2.58]
  • If the number of children exceeds 258, trade in some larger families for some smaller ones
  • If the number of children is less than 258, trade in some smaller families for some larger ones
  • Create other plans with families having 1, 2, 3, and 4 children

    		After the Activity

    		Students complete the Student Activity pages and answer questions.

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




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    Subject Area:
    Math : PreAlgebra : Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis
    Math : Middle Grades Math : Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    5-8

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-30X IIB, TI-30X IIS, TI-34 II Explorer Plus™

    Apps:
     

    Software:
     

    Accessories:
     

    Other:
    This is Activity 2 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS and TI-34 II: Activities for the Middle Grades

    The following material may be required for this activity:

  • The Phantom Tollbooth by Norman Juster


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