Education Technology

Parts is Parts

Subject Area
Math: PreAlgebra: Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis
Math: Middle Grades Math: Statistics and Probability
Level
6-8
Activity Time
60 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-30 X IIS™ / TI-30Xa
Other Materials
    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
Resource Types
Lessons

Parts is Parts

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
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    Subject Area
    Math: PreAlgebra: Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis
    Math: Middle Grades Math: Statistics and Probability
    Level
    6-8
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    TI Calculator
    TI-30 X IIS™ / TI-30Xa
    Other Materials
      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
    Resource Types
    Lessons
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