When I was in school we used to call them “story problems.” The
textbook people tricked you into thinking you were going to hear a story, when
behind their clever words lay an evil math problem.
textbook people tricked you into thinking you were going to hear a story, when
behind their clever words lay an evil math problem.
And I hated them.
Almost every math concept could be forced into a story
problem. To make matters worse, the textbook people added extra information or
purposely left out necessary facts just to make you sweat!
problem. To make matters worse, the textbook people added extra information or
purposely left out necessary facts just to make you sweat!
Perhaps I spent too much time substitute teaching this year
because it’s all coming back to haunt me, and I’m starting to describe events
in terms of story problems. So here are a few math exercises disguised as
weekend highlights.
because it’s all coming back to haunt me, and I’m starting to describe events
in terms of story problems. So here are a few math exercises disguised as
weekend highlights.
- On
Wednesday Little Letellier and his mother were packing for a 3 day 2 night
summer camp. His mother packed two pairs of clean underwear, one for each night.
At the last minute she packed one more pair “just in case.” Little
Letellier was wearing one clean pair of underwear when he left for camp.
When Little Letellier returned from camp on Friday he had three clean pair
of underwear in his backpack. He was also wearing one pair. How many times
did Little Letellier change his undies while at camp? How do you know?
Explain your answer.
- Mr.
Letellier had been training for The Big Mick—a 109 mile bike ride through
the Black Hills. He and two friends started the
ride at 5:45
AM MST and made four stops. If they averaged 14
mph and arrived at the finish at 5:45PM CST, did they burn all
the calories they consumed at the pancake breakfast? Approximately how
long did they linger at each stop? What is the probability that Mr.
Letellier will ride the same race next year? How long will it be before Mr.
Letellier gets on a bicycle again?
- While
Mr. Letellier was riding his bike Mrs. Letellier went to the mall. She
stopped first at The Buckle. She
was the oldest one in the store and nothing struck her fashion fancy. The
last time Mrs. Letellier shopped at The Buckle it was actually called The
Brass Buckle. Approximately how old is Mrs. Letellier? How ridiculous do
you suppose Mrs. Letellier felt asking a 15 year-old about jeans sizes? Is
it immoral to charge $62 for a pair of shorts? Based on what you know
about Mrs. Letellier’s spending habits, do you think she paid $62 for a
pair of shorts?
Please show your work in the comments.
1. Ha! I know this one because even though I did not raise boys, I have heard of this work-saving tactic before. Shelly will tell you that after Mark's first church camp experience he returned home with all his clothes still clean and neatly folded just like the day he left.
2. I think I could answer this one if I could just see how Mr. Letellier is walking today! (Congrats on your finish, Kurt!) : )
3. This one is a tuffy! However, I can answer the last part: Yes, it's immoral, and Mrs. Letellier will continue to wear last year's capris!
Thanks for the laughs, Shauna! We loved it!