Problem of the Week 9/1/08

Be sure to check the solution to last week's problem below. When you submit an answer, be sure to include an explanation. Make sure to answer the question for the poll in the margin.

Problem:

What are the next two terms in the sequence below?


A, 2, C, 3, F, 5, K, 7, ___, ___...

Solution to Problem of the week #2 8/27/08

Good job to those of you who tried the problem. However, many of you didn't answer the question in the form that it asked for. You were asked to round your answer to the nearest tenth. You need to read the problem again after you submit your answer.

Be sure to explain your steps when you post an answer. I don't want answers alone!

Here is the solution:

First we have to find the difference between the number of voters seen in 2004 and the number of voters seen this year.

227,000 – 124,000 = 103,000 more voters in 2008

Now we divide the number of additional voters (103,000) by the number of voters seen in 2004 (124,000) and multiply by 100 to find the percent of increase.

(103,000 ÷ 124,000) × 100 = 83.1%, to the nearest tenth

Problem of the week #2 8/27/08

With the start of 2008 comes a rash of caucuses and primaries to determine who each party will choose to run in the national presidential election. In light of this, here are a few questions surrounding voting, percentages, etc.

On January 3rd, both the democratic and republican parties in Iowa saw a record number of voters turn out for the caucus. In 2004, the Democratic Party had 124,000 at the caucus. This year, the Democratic Party had a turn out of 227,000 voters. By what percent did this year’s democratic voter participation beat 2004 democratic voter participation? Express your answer to the nearest tenth.

Problem of the Week 8/25/08

A watered circular field is inscribed in a square plot of land. The square plot has sides of length 500 meters. What is the area of the land that is not watered? Express your answer to the nearest thousand square meters.

Welcome Back!

The school year is under way and we will be doing many exciting things. I have set up this blog as a way to encourage students to continue their math dialogue outside of the classroom. I will periodically check the blog in the evenings and jump into conversations when needed. However, this first post is simply to say, "Welcome Back!" I am looking forward to a great year with all of you.

Students: Encourage your parents to check the blog as I will be using it to post updates!

Answer the following question in the comment box. You can do this using your Google account...if you don't have a Google account, just post as an anonymous visitor, but be sure to identify yourself in your comments.

Question:

As far as your math class is concerned, what are you most looking forward to this year?