Monthly Math Challenge

Did you know that Phantom Lake has a WONDERFUL math specialist? Well, we do! Her name is Laura Gaylord, and having worked with her in the past, I can tell you for sure, she is GREAT! She, along with the PTA, are putting together a monthly math challenge for kiddos who want to push their thinking in math. I highly suggest you give these a try with your child! Each kid that finishes even one problem will get a certificate.

One requirement is you use the R-E-C form. (Restate, explain, conclude). To find and print the REC form, click HERE

You can choose the problems that fit your child's needs, but challenge them to try intermediate problems if that's appropriate for them! Here are the challenge questions (also can be found on the PTA website as linked above)

I hope to see many of my kids turning these in as the month goes on! They can turn them in to me, or the office whenever they finish them, but no later than Sept. 30.

Phantom Lake Math Challenge

September 2013

These problems are labeled in order of increasing difficulty. Choose the one that fits your math and grade ability and solve the problem. People at home can help you. You will need to submit your answer using the R-E-C form. Be certain to put the letter of your problem, your name and your teacher’s name on the form when you submit it. All solutions are due to Mrs. Gaylord by September 30th. Bring your completed R-E-C form to your teacher. Students who successfully complete the challenge with the correct answer and a logical explanation of their mathematical thinking will receive a certificate and their name listed on the Math Challenge poster at school. Happy problem solving!!

Primary Problem A
To collect the amount of nectar needed to make 2 pounds of honey, bees must travel a distance that is approximately the same as circling the Earth 4 times. If we continue to compare distance in this way, how many times would the bees have to travel around the Earth in order to collect enough nectar to make 4 pounds of honey?
Primary Problem B
Each honeybee has 5 eyes! Three honeybees are circling a flower. How many bee eyes are around the flower? Five honeybees are returning to the hive with nectar. How many bee eyes are returning to the hive? Now there are a total of 30 bee eyes in the flower garden. How many honeybees are in the garden?
Primary Problem C
When a bee is looking for nectar to make honey, it can travel about 1 mile in 4 minutes. How far can you travel in 4 minutes? Time yourself while running or walking. Use this data to determine how long it would take you to travel 1 mile?
Primary Problem D
A productive queen bee can lay 3,000 eggs in one day. How many eggs would that queen lay in 5 days? In 27 days? How many days would it take the queen bee to lay 19,000 eggs?
Intermediate Problem E
The distinctive buzzing noise that bees make comes from their wings beating. A bee wing beats about 11,400 times in a minute to create this buzz. How many times would its wings beat in 1 second? How many times would its wings beat in 5 minutes. In 1 hour?
Intermediate Problem F
To collect the amount of nectar needed to make 1 pound of honey, bees must tap 2 million flowers. How much honey can they produce if they tap only 300,000 flowers? How much honey can they produce if they tap 1,750,000 flowers? How many flowers do they need to tap to make 24.5 pounds of honey?
Intermediate Problem G
Bees require 1/3 ounce of honey to make the wax for a 2 1/4 –inch birthday candle. How much honey would be required to make the number of birthday candles needed for your tenth birthday?
Super Duper Challenge
If a bee’s wings beat 180 times in 1 second, how many times do they beat in 1 hour? In one day? The life span of a worker bee ranges from 28 to 35 days. On average, how many times does a worker bee flap its wings over its entire life span?