Education Technology

Picnic Challenge

Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Equations and Inequalities
Math: Algebra I: Expressions
Math: PreAlgebra: Expressions
Math: PreAlgebra: Equations
Math: PreAlgebra: Nonlinear Functions
Level
6-8
Activity Time
60 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-30X IIS
Other Materials
    This is Activity 4 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS and TI-34 II: Activities for the Middle Grades

    The following materials are required for this activity:
  • Graph paper
  • Straight edges
Resource Types
Lessons

Picnic Challenge

Activity Overview

Students find patterns to solve problems, explore functions, and graph linear functions on the coordinate plane.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 31 - 35 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • Study the calculator keystrokes
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:

  • Understand the problem - find the combination of 6, 9, and 20 that adds to 50
  • Formulate pattern rules for the problem
  • Determine the number of patterns that repeat in a cycle
  • Find the sum for each pattern rule
  • Plot the results on a graph paper
  • Find the largest impossible value and the combination that gives 50 as the sum
  • 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
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    Download Files
    Subject Area
    Math: Algebra I: Equations and Inequalities
    Math: Algebra I: Expressions
    Math: PreAlgebra: Expressions
    Math: PreAlgebra: Equations
    Math: PreAlgebra: Nonlinear Functions
    Level
    6-8
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    TI Calculator
    TI-30X IIS
    Other Materials
      This is Activity 4 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
      Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS and TI-34 II: Activities for the Middle Grades

      The following materials are required for this activity:
    • Graph paper
    • Straight edges
    Resource Types
    Lessons
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