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Infinite Fun in a Finite Math Class

Infinite Fun in a Finite Math Class. Nancy Rivers Deborah Benton njrivers@waketech.edu dsbenton@waketech.edu Wake Technical Community College 6600 Louisburg Rd Raleigh, NC 27616. Goals/Plan. Introduce you to four activities we use with our students

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Infinite Fun in a Finite Math Class

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  1. Infinite Fun in a Finite Math Class Nancy Rivers Deborah Benton njrivers@waketech.edudsbenton@waketech.edu Wake Technical Community College 6600 Louisburg Rd Raleigh, NC 27616

  2. Goals/Plan • Introduce you to four activities we use with our students • Allow time for you to “play student” and experience these activities • Share your impressions, constructive comments • Allow you to share activities you employ.

  3. Our Finite Math Classes • Excel based • Use Solver instead of the Simplex Method • Calculators can also be used • Targets mainly business majors needing a third math course • Typically last math before transferring

  4. Course Outline • Financial • Linear Programming • Probability • Matrices • Markov Chains • Game Theory

  5. First Day Ice Breaker • Four Color Problem • Allows students to meet each other • Requires them to do some thinking on the first day of class • Sets the tone for the course – something different

  6. Roller’s Gamble • Introduction to Expected Value • Not every pair of students plays the same game • Use pennies/poker chips/candies in the classroom • Discuss various games: which were fair/favored player/favored “runner”

  7. Markov Polo • Introduction to Markov Chains • Students actually experience a Markov process before we introduce the topic • Requires students to consider how a matrix can be employed in the process • Individual discovery activity

  8. Penny Face-off • Introduction to Two-person Games • Before topic is begun, students use the game matrix, possibly employing a strategy • Various games are played throughout the classroom • Students share their experiences with their classmates

  9. Time for Fun • Uncover the activity nearest you • Experience the activity for approximately 10 minutes • Swap activities with another group • Experience that activity for app. 10 mins. • Swap activities with another group • Experience that activity for app. 10 mins.

  10. Comments • Thoughts? • Ideas for improving these activities? • What activities do you use with your finite class?

  11. Extra • Finance Project • Dream house with 10% down • 15-year fixed, including PMI • 30-year fixed, including PMI • 30-year ARM, worst case scenario

  12. Active Review • A take-off on “The Amazing Race” • A set of clue packets for each group of up to 4 students • All problems in one clue must be correct before they swap it for the next clue • The instructor is the keeper of the clues • Roadblocks! • Display the groups progress throughout the game.

  13. Contact information • Nancy Rivers njrivers@waketech.edu • Deborah Benton dsbenton@waketech.edu

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