- (8/30/2023) Added an introduction to summations (\(\scriptsize \,\sum\,\))
- (7/30/2023) Added a tutorial for finding the equation of a circle given 3 points
- (7/14/2023) Changed the featured problem to the Monkey Diet Problem
- (6/25/2023) Added an explanation for our philosophy for learning math.
We use this philosophy throughout our program.
- (5/13/2023) Added an 8th grade set of Math Jeopardy problems
- (4/1/2023) New Math Jeopardy features:
- Subjects to be used can now be selected.
Example: If your students haven't studied prob/stat, then it can be deleted.
- Number of problems for each subject can be selected.
This helps keep the competition within time limits.
- Once a problem has been answered, it is removed from the list.
- (3/31/2023) Added a 7th grade set of Math Jeopardy problems
- (2/22/2023) Added a complete 7th grade program! This program incorporates several of the new lessons created in the last year, including:
As well as other lessons previously allocated to the 6th grade.
- (12/28/2022) Added a new problem solving problem, the bingo tournament problem, suitable for 6th-8th grades.
- (12/28/2022) Added a new lesson: introduction to inequalities.
(suitable for 6th - 8th grades)
- (10/12/2022) Added a tutorial for Eratosthenes' computation of the size of the Earth (suitable for 6th - 8th grades)
- (6/17/2022) Added a tutorial for logarithms (suitable for 7th and 8th grades)
- (5/24/2022) Added a definition for the chord of a circle (and how to use it!)
- (5/24/2022) Added a tutorial for operations on sets (union, intersection, subset, etc.) suitable for 6-8th grades. Planning a full lesson on sets, but it isn't here yet!
- (5/4/2022) Added a new Problem Solving problem, the Amazon® Problem, suitable for 5th-6th grades.
- (4/9/2022) Added a new problem solving problem, the castle kit design problem, suitable for 6th-8th grades.
- (3/8/2022) Problem Solving update. "Problem Solving" means solving real world problems where multiple strategies and approaches are possible. Students must not only come up with a correct answer, but explain how they got it!
Added example team responses to all problems. These example responses:
- Show what an excellent response to a problem should look like.
- Show evaluators how to evaluate responses using embedded 'popups' that highlight the evaluation criteria being addressed in the team response.
- Show coaches how to teach problem solving with many examples graded by difficulty.
In addition, a new problem, the birdhouse problem has been added.
- (1/9/2022) Added an example (global warming) for the data analysis tutorial.
- (12/10/2021) Added explanations for Math Jeopardy answers. Some answers to Math Jeopardy questions now have extended explanations, showing how the answers were arrived at. Those answers that have explanations (not all answers do) have this button:
on the answer page. Pressing it reveals the derivation of the answer.
Here are a couple of examples: some final jeopardy problems (click on the 'answer' button):
- (11/10/2021) Added a lesson on solving quadratic equations and the parabola
This lesson is in 2 parts:
- Solving quadratic equations using the quadratic formula
- Finding the quadratic equation from a parabolic plot
This lesson is appropriate for 6th, 7th and 8th grades
- (11/3/2021) Added a tutorial for data analysis.
- (11/1/2021) Added a definition/tutorial for a function and range and domain.
(A function is different from an equation!)
- (10/29/2021) Added a 6th grade lesson for advanced statistics
These are problems like:
Markesh has taken 6 tests and averaged a score of 89 for these tests. He wants an 'A', which requires an average of 90 or above. There is only one more test. What score on his 7th test must he get to get his A?
- (10/13/2021) Added solutions for many Math Jeopardy problems on the answers pages. Mostly these are problems with more complex solutions.
- (9/5/2021) Added a tutorial for shared work problems.
These are problems like:
Joe can paint an entire house in 12 hours, and Sharon takes 8 hours to paint a similarly-sized house. How long would it take Joe and Sharon together to paint the house?
- (9/1/2021) Added a definition for the parabola
- (8/15/2021) Redesign of Math Jeopardy.
Math Jeopardy has been redesigned to be run on a laptop computer. Individual problems are presented as a full screen display, making it easier for the kids to see. Also, a timer has been added to the final jeopardy questions, showing the countdown of the 2 minutes students are allowed to solve the problem. The display can be further enhanced if the laptop can be hooked to a TV.
- (7/23/2021) Added a lesson on exponent arithmetic
This lesson is appropriate for 6th, 7th and 8th grades
- (5/27/2021) Added definitions for infinity, rational numbers and irrational numbers.
- (5/16/2021) Added a tutorial on finding the distance of a point from a line.
- (5/6/2021) A new 6th grade lesson on working problems backwards.
These are problems that have an unknown beginning and several steps that cascade down to a final answer which is known. For example:
I am thinking of a number. If you divide it by 4, then multiply by 3, then subtract 7 and finally square it, you get 64. What is my number?
- (4/24/2021) A single file version of the Math Pak (with a cover page) has been created to facilitate copying for handouts.
- (3/14/2021) Two new cartesian coordinates lessons for 6th thru 8th graders:
- (2/2/2021) 5th thru 8th grade Math Olympiad Help Capability. This new capability provides hints and worked solutions for all WSMC Math Olympiad
from 2006 thru 2017! A 12-year span. This is a set of 1200 problems. This provides a 'stepping stone' approach to allow a coach to ease his/her students into more challenging problems by working the actual problems used in previous competitions --- with a little help. Hints put the student on the correct solution path and the provided solutions show step-by-step how each problem is solved. If a problem can be solved by more than one method then all methods of solution are shown. The idea is for you, the coach, to use these materials for Free Week and Practice Competition sessions.
Suggestions are provided for classroom competition use.
For comments or suggestions for further program updates, please e-mail me, Don McQuinn, at mcquinnd@hotmail.com.
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