ERIC Number: EJ765697
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Sep
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1072-0839
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Hitting the Bull's-Eye: A Dart Game Simulation Using Graphing Calculator Technology
Mittag, Kathleen Cage; Taylor, Sharon E.
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, v12 n2 p116-120 Sep 2006
One problem that students have with mathematics is that they often view the topic as a series of unrelated ideas. Sometimes they are aware that they have to know one concept to move to the next, but what is done in geometry is not necessarily related to anything in algebra. This failure to recognize mathematical connections limits students' comprehension and understanding of mathematics. One way to counter this problem is by using activities that show multiple mathematical relationships. The activity described in this paper started as a simple lesson to teach students how to use the random number generator on the calculator to generate ordered pairs, graph the ordered pairs, and see how many of their points landed in a bull's-eye circle. The objective was to use technology to teach a probability lesson. Over the past several years, based on suggestions from students and teachers, the activity has grown to incorporate a variety of concepts and skills. The general premise is still the same: "How many 'darts' hit a circular dart board with a radius of 1 unit?" The activities surrounding the simulated game of darts have grown to be quite rich. (Contains 7 figures.)
Descriptors: Probability, Graphing Calculators, Mathematics Instruction, Comprehension, Mathematics Activities, Games, Simulation, Technology Uses in Education, Algebra
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
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