Math Plane

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spare parts 12

5/3/13

Sequences

Next Wednesday is 5-8-13, a "Fibonacci Day" (assuming such a term exists!)... In the sketch -- a tribute to Leonardo of Pisa -- there are Fibonacci sequences....

How familiar are you with sequences? Answer the following:

Assume 3 and 9 begin each sequence. What is the 3rd term in each?

a) arithmetic sequence: 3, 9, ?

b) geometric sequence: 3, 9, ?

c) Fibonacci sequence: 3, 9, ?

ANSWERS

4/26/13

Exponents and Powers

A) ((2^2)^2)^2 =

B) What is 0^0? ("Zero to the zero power")

C) What is the power function that passes through the points (2, 5) and (6, 9)?

Solutions

4/19/13

SOHCAHTOA

Soh Cah Toa is a helpful nmenomic for remembering the trigonometry functions sine, cosine, and tangent.

Here is a trigonometry problem:

What are the angle measures of a triangle with sides 3, 4, and 5?

Angle measure solutions

4/13/13

"The Woodpecker Question"

A woodpecker is perched up against a 20-foot pole, pecking away!

Eventually, it chips away enough of the wood that the pole cracks, buckles, and folds over: the top of the pole landing on the ground 12 feet from the bottom of the pole.

Undeterred, it stands on the top and continues pecking away!

How high off the ground is the woodpecker?

ANSWER

4/6/13

FIFTEEN

Learn about 15 at MAAnumberaday

3/26/13

Composite Inverse Trig Functions

Can you evaluate the following?

SOLUTION

3/16/13

1980's Math Fun and Games

Try the 4 Pacman math questions below.

(Solutions are in the right column)

Stage 1 (cherry):

Dean gets a $4 per week allowance. If Pacman costs one quarter per game, how many games per week can Dean play?

Stage 2 (strawberry):

Ms. Pacman can consume 80 dots|objects per minute. At least how many seconds would it take her to consume 140 dots, 4 power pills, and 2 pieces of fruit?

Stage 3 (Apple):

Inky leaves home to chase Pacman. He goes 4 inches right; then, 4 inches up; then, 1 inch left. How far is Inky from his home?

Stage 4 (Banana):

Pacman's mouth has a jaw length (r) of 3 inches. His mouth opens to a 60 degree central angle (theta). How much space (sector area) is created when the mouth is opened?