Students write word problems based on the whole numbers generated by the calculator. They decide on an operation to solve the problems. Finally, they  analyze the problems to determine the problem characteristics when using operations on whole numbers.

Students will explore the following concepts in this activity:

• computation
• problem solving

To introduce the activity, read the book Math Curse to the students. 

Have students describe the types of problems faced by the main character of the book. Distribute the student activity sheet and have students read the details around the problems they will be solving.

Students will write word problems for given numbers, create posters for the problems, and then write explanations for the solutions to the problems.  Students will also use their TI-15 calculator to generate numbers for some equations with missing operations.