Title
Finding A Way (John Reid)
Goals
1) Students will investigate counting methods
2) Students will recognize number sequences and create formulas for them
Abstract
See goal statement
Problem Statement
A student must walk home from his school. If he tries any short cuts he will be attack by dogs. The class will find all possible routes plus the shortest route possible.
Instructor Suggestions
1) Work in groups
2) Class presentations
Materials
Finding A Way handout
Time
Intro. (5 min.), groups (20 min.), presentations (10 min.), discussion (10 min.)
Mathematics Concepts
Discrete Mathematics Concepts
Counting techniques, Graph Theory
Related Mathematics Concepts
Pascal's Triangle
NCTM Standards Addressed
Problem Solving, Communication, Reasoning, Connections, Discrete Mathematics, Probability
Colorado Model Content Standards Addressed
Problem Solving Techniques (5), Linking Concepts and Procedures (6)
Curriculum Integration
All levels of math classes
Further Investigation
Variations/Comments
References/Resources
Discrete Math Project