Need some "canned" activities ready for you to do during a math club meeting?...
This presentation “Analyzing a Card Trick” was based on an article in the Mathematics Teacher, March 2011
"AN EXCEL-LENT CARD TRICK" by Holly S. Zullo. In the article, Ms. Zullo describes a simple card trick
played with 15 cards in which a player selects a card and the magician finds the card through a series
of layouts. The article investigates the mathematics behind the magic. She wrote the article for an
exploration using an excel document. When I read the article I thought what an excellent example to
work on with graphing calculators.
The card layouts are neatly visualized with three functions. The functions involved are a linear,
a step function/greatest integer function, and a composite function. The function that maps the cards
to the “magic” place is the composite function of the linear and greatest integer function. Attached are
instructions for using the TI-84 and the TI-Npsire to display the mathematics. The card trick, which
intrigues students right away, is a real world example of the composite and a greatest integer functions.
Please feel free to use the activity in your classroom. Here are the Worksheets and the Power Point
Presentation - Sheila Horstman (sheila.horstman@cmcss.net) Clarksville High School,Clarksville, TN
Try out Math Club in a Box :The MAA provides all sorts of Math Club activities
for you and your students to enjoy.
Also see
http://www.maa.org/students/chapter_news/spring2009/math_club_ina_box.html
Some suggested activities by the former sponsor of the
Peddie School in New Jersey.
The MAA/AMC self-publishes an annual "AMC 10/12 Math Club Package". It's approximately 150-page booklet with
ideas for running a high school math club, together with lots of practice materials, mostly for competition
preparation. It comes with a CD of AMC math contests. Chapters can purchase it for $25 at
http://www.unl.edu/amc/d-publication/publication.shtml
Many Mu Alpha Theta chapters are active in community service projects in their
neighborhoods around the country. The American Cancer Society is excited about the
power and potential of Mu Alpha Theta members joining the fight against cancer. One
of the easiest ways Mu Alpha Theta members can become involved is through the American
Cancer Society Relay For Life. Members can form teams for their local Relay events,
volunteering their time at the event, and carrying out fundraising activities to
support the American Cancer Society. Relay offers everyone in the community an
opportunity to join the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local
high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around the track
or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times.
For more information see a brochure
or call 1-800-ACS-2345. Or, visit their
website at www.cancer.org/relay
If you have activities to add, please email us
and let us know so we can share them with other sponsors.