Melrose High School Algebra 2
Explore Math
INTRODUCTION - READ THIS FIRST!
There is a LOT of math that we don’t get to cover in the high school curriculum, and it’s REALLY COOL. I want you to have the opportunity to see what’s out there and find something to be awed by.
Math is really just about thinking logically, solving problems, and finding some beautiful connections between ideas.
So look over your options and pick one to pursue to continue to grow your mind! Each section is set up with an "Explore" section and a "Do" section. Look around at the information in the "Explore" section then follow the instructions in the "Do" section.
MATH MUNCH
EXPLORE:
Math Munch is a ridiculously awesome weekly blog of the mathematically interesting internet. Go to the website and browse through archives of recent posts or the headings at the top. There are a number of ways that you can participate. Find something that interests you.
DO: Pick one of the following activities, complete it, and turn it in.
DOODLING IN MATH CLASS - VI HART
EXPLORE:
Feel like doodling, paper folding, or other mathemagic? Visit Khan Academy for a list of videos made by Vi Hart, who calls herself a mathemusician. Watch one. Most of them are about something you can do, like doodling or paper folding.
DO:
Try out her doodle or activity (you can pause the video to go at a more appropriate speed) and then write a brief paragraph to explain what you did.
NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLES
EXPLORE:
This link shows articles about mathematics or mathematicians in the New York Times.
DO:
Choose one to read, then write a paragraph that clearly expresses your thoughts about the article.
WHAT IF?
EXPLORE:
“What if there was a robot apocalypse? How long would humanity last?” If you like hypothetical questions like these visit XKCD’s What If? Archive. Pick one to read over.
DO:
Write a paragraph summary of what it was about and how it displayed mathematical/logical problem solving.
DAILY DESMOS
EXPLORE:
Visit Daily Desmos and find a graph that intrigues you.
DO:
Go to Desmos and do your best to reproduce the graph. Write down what you used to make the graph and turn it in.
VISUAL PATTERNS
EXPLORE:
Interested in finding and describing patterns? Go to Visual Patterns and pick one of the patterns that looks interesting. If you click on it, it will open a full image of the pattern and tell you how many are in the 43rd step.
DO:
Try to figure out an equation that describes the pattern. Write down the number of the visual pattern and your proposed equation (for example: # blocks = 4 (step number) + 1).
There is a LOT of math that we don’t get to cover in the high school curriculum, and it’s REALLY COOL. I want you to have the opportunity to see what’s out there and find something to be awed by.
Math is really just about thinking logically, solving problems, and finding some beautiful connections between ideas.
So look over your options and pick one to pursue to continue to grow your mind! Each section is set up with an "Explore" section and a "Do" section. Look around at the information in the "Explore" section then follow the instructions in the "Do" section.
MATH MUNCH
EXPLORE:
Math Munch is a ridiculously awesome weekly blog of the mathematically interesting internet. Go to the website and browse through archives of recent posts or the headings at the top. There are a number of ways that you can participate. Find something that interests you.
DO: Pick one of the following activities, complete it, and turn it in.
- Re-create a piece of math art, or create your own artwork inspired by the original work. Turn in to Mr. Bigger, along with a paragraph on what you were re-creating and how you did it.
- Work on a puzzle, or solve a problem, or struggle with a problem. Turn in your work on paper along with a paragraph description of what you were working on and where you found it.
- Watch a video. Write a paragraph with what you learned and/or what questions you have.
- Read about a mathematician mentioned in one of the posts. Write a paragraph about why this mathematician was interesting to you, and create two questions you’d like to ask this person.
- Play a math-based video game and then write a paragraph to critique it (likes, dislikes, suggestions, etc.).
DOODLING IN MATH CLASS - VI HART
EXPLORE:
Feel like doodling, paper folding, or other mathemagic? Visit Khan Academy for a list of videos made by Vi Hart, who calls herself a mathemusician. Watch one. Most of them are about something you can do, like doodling or paper folding.
DO:
Try out her doodle or activity (you can pause the video to go at a more appropriate speed) and then write a brief paragraph to explain what you did.
NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLES
EXPLORE:
This link shows articles about mathematics or mathematicians in the New York Times.
DO:
Choose one to read, then write a paragraph that clearly expresses your thoughts about the article.
WHAT IF?
EXPLORE:
“What if there was a robot apocalypse? How long would humanity last?” If you like hypothetical questions like these visit XKCD’s What If? Archive. Pick one to read over.
DO:
Write a paragraph summary of what it was about and how it displayed mathematical/logical problem solving.
DAILY DESMOS
EXPLORE:
Visit Daily Desmos and find a graph that intrigues you.
DO:
Go to Desmos and do your best to reproduce the graph. Write down what you used to make the graph and turn it in.
VISUAL PATTERNS
EXPLORE:
Interested in finding and describing patterns? Go to Visual Patterns and pick one of the patterns that looks interesting. If you click on it, it will open a full image of the pattern and tell you how many are in the 43rd step.
DO:
Try to figure out an equation that describes the pattern. Write down the number of the visual pattern and your proposed equation (for example: # blocks = 4 (step number) + 1).