This unit focuses on combinations, a subject related to the probability-and-statistics strand of mathematics. Students are encouraged to discover all the combinations for the given situation using problem-solving skills (including elimination and collection of organized data). This unit was adapted from "Ideas: Combinations" by Marcy Cook, which
appeared in The Arithmetic Teacher Vol. 36, No. 1 (September, 1988) pp. 31 - 36.
Math Content
In Activity 1, "Shorts and Shirts," students:
- estimate the number of possibilities that can be made from a given number of
factors,
- compute the number of possibilities, and
- generalize the number of possible combinations that can be made.
In Activity 2, "Ice-Cream Cones," students:
- predict the number of two-color combinations that can be made from
eight colors,
- determine the number of combinations that can be made, and
- generalize the number of possible combinations that can be made.
Individual Lessons
Lesson 1 - Shorts and Shirts Students are encouraged to discover all of the possible combinations for outfits consisting of shirts and shorts. Students apply problem-solving skills (including elimination and collection of organized data) to draw their conclusions. Lesson 2 - Ice Cream Cones Students are encouraged to discover all the combinations for ice cream cones. They use problem-solving skills (including elimination and collection of organized data) to draw their conclusions. Students also discuss whether or not order matters mathematically for the given problem.
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