Tag Archives: Dynamic Number

Elementary Mathematics, Math Software

Adding Fractions on a Number Line

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In previous posts, I've presented fraction-related websketches from the Dynamic Number project.  Several of these activities—specifically Dividing and Subdividing and Deducing the Mystery Fraction —focus on a number-line representation of fractions. Below (and here) is another such websketch, with students constructing segments of fractional length that can be placed end to … Continue Reading ››
Educational Technology, Elementary Mathematics, Math Software

Beam of Light

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This month's post is based on a problem that appears in Martin Gardner's Sixth Book of Mathematical Diversions from Scientific American. Below (and here) is a Web Sketchpad model of an orderly forest. There is a tree at every point whose x- and y-coordinates are both integers. These are the green points. You … Continue Reading ››
Educational Technology, Elementary Mathematics, Math Software

Multiplication Is Not Repeated Addition

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On the NCTM discussion site myNCTM, there's currently an extended discussion about "Division and multiplication of fractions." As the discussion has continued, I've grown concerned with what I see as a fundamental problem with the way we often introduce multiplication as repeated addition: "Multiplying 4 by 5 means we're combining five groups of four items. … Continue Reading ››
Elementary Mathematics, Math Software

Find the Secret Number

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We created the Web Sketchpad game below (and here)  as part of our Dynamic Number project. It challenges elementary-age students to uncover the value of a secret number by collecting and analyzing clues that narrow its range of possible values. The game familiarizes students with inequality signs, introduces the use of x to represent an … Continue Reading ››
Algebra, Educational Technology, Elementary Mathematics, Math Software

Adding and Subtracting Integers

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A recent post on the my NCTM discussion group asked about tools to help students visualize and understand addition and subtraction of integers. I always found this confusing for some of my Algebra 1 students, mainly because they had been told to memorize some rules about whether to add or subtract the two integers and … Continue Reading ››
Educational Technology, Elementary Mathematics, Math Software

Interactive Array Explorations

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Arrays can be enormously helpful tools for helping young learners to visualize multiplication.  Early work with arrays also sets the stage for more advanced mathematics, like binomial multiplication. In this blog post, I present several interactive arrays built with Web Sketchpad as part of the Dynamic Number project. The interactive array model below (and here) … Continue Reading ››
Educational Technology, Elementary Mathematics, Math Software

Fifth Graders Investigate a Mathematical Code

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How much tolerance do you have for puzzlement? When faced with a mathematical conundrum, do you embrace the challenge, or do you feel some trepidation at confronting the unknown? For many of us, an unfamiliar mathematical task is sure to raise our heart rate a beat or two. As teachers, it’s easy to translate these fears … Continue Reading ››
Elementary Mathematics, Math Software

Deducing the “Mystery” Fraction

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Estimation is an important mathematical skill, yet we rarely ask students to make estimates that relate to fractions. As part of the Dynamic Number project, we created a "mystery" fraction challenge  that presents a green point somewhere between 0 and 1 on the number line. The point's location can be represented as a fraction with numerator between … Continue Reading ››