Hey, math and Stanford Fans! Try some football word problems

Here in Palo Alto, there are a lot of Stanford fans.  Stanford has one of the best college football teams in the country, coming in at  #5 in the rankings this week.  They have a flawless record of 3-0 after beating San Jose State, Army and Arizona State.  However, 19 of the top 25 teams have not lost a game this year, and all of them have 3 or more wins.

Stanford math word problems

Stanford math word problems

So why is Stanford number 5 and not number 25 like Fresno State, who is also 3-0?  Here at Mathnasium, because we are near Stanford, we are working to figure out how these rankings work.  Many different variables go into deciding who will be ranked, and what they will be ranked.  These include points scored, points allowed, strength of schedule, yards gained, yard allowed, and many more.  We will try to begin figuring these rankings with a few word problems. Can you help us by solving these word problems?

Here are the fun Stanford math word problems:

1. Stanford scored 34 points in their first game, 34 points in their second game and 42 points in their most recent game.  How many total points have they scored so far this season?

2.  Stanford’s opponents have scored 13, 20 and 28 points.  How many total points has Stanford allowed?  How many more points have they scored than they have allowed?

3.  Oregon has scored 66, 59, and 59 points, respectively in their first 3 games. They are ranked #2 in the country.  How many total points has Oregon scored?  How many more points has Oregon scored than Stanford?

4.  Find the average number of points that both Stanford and Oregon score per game.  To do this, take the total number of points that you already calculated, then divide by the number of games, 3.

Challenge Word Problem for extra smart Stanford kids:

5.  Pretend the rankings are based completely on points scored.  If Oregon scores 27 points in their 4th game against Cal, how many points would Stanford need to score in their game in order to overtake Oregon in the rankings?

At Mathnasium, we are more focused on math than football.  But, if we did have a football team, we would know exactly how to be #1!

Learn more about Math Tutoring and Mathnasium of Palo Alto-Menlo Park (and find more fun word problems) —  http://www.mathnasium.com/paloalto-menlopark

 

Hey Palo Alto! Fun Math Games for 2nd Graders and Up: Addition & “PIG”

 

Math Tutoring Game Dice

www.freedigitalphotos.net

If you don’t have some tricks up your sleeve, teaching addition to your child can be a challenge! Using math games can be a fun and easy way to help your kid become comfortable with adding and doing math in a casual setting!

Kids at Mathnasium of Palo Alto-Menlo Park love playing the math game “PIG.” PIG requires only two dice and a sheet of paper and pencil to keep score, so it can be easily played anywhere, whether it be at home, at the park, or even while waiting in the doctor’s office! Here’s how the game works:

How to play PIG:

  1. Roll both dice, and find the sum of the two numbers. This is the number of points you can collect!
  2. If you roll a ONE, you get zero points for your turn. If you roll two ONES, all your points are wiped out!
  3. If you roll both dice without rolling a ONE, you can keep your current score or roll again and chance losing all your points!
  4. Once you start a turn, you can keep rolling the dice until you decide to stop and stay with your current number of points, or you roll a ONE.
  5. Record your score, and add the points you collected to your previous turn.
  6. First player who gets to 100 (or any number you choose) wins!

Fun Math Game for Palo Alto

Once you’ve played PIG a few times, each kid can develop a “winning strategy” and compare their strategy with others. It’s especially a great math game for 2nd graders and up, and it’s a great way to keep your child engaged and interested in math, while giving them some math help in the process! All ages can enjoy this game, so have fun and don’t be a greedy “pig!”

by Mathin’ Catherin, March 19, 2013

> Learn more about Fun Math Events in Palo Alto / Menlo Park