Infinite Fun in a Finite Math Class

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Infinite Fun in a Finite Math Class

• Nancy Rivers Deborah Benton
• njrivers_at_waketech.edu dsbenton_at_waketech.edu
• Wake Technical Community College
• 6600 Louisburg Rd
• Raleigh, NC 27616

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Goals/Plan

• Introduce you to four activities we use with our
  students
• Allow time for you to play student and
  experience these activities
• Share your impressions, constructive comments
• Allow you to share activities you employ.

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Our Finite Math Classes

• Excel based
• Use Solver instead of the Simplex Method
• Calculators can also be used
• Targets mainly business majors needing a third
  math course
• Typically last math before transferring

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Course Outline

• Financial
• Linear Programming
• Probability
• Matrices
• Markov Chains
• Game Theory

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First Day Ice Breaker

• Four Color Problem
• Allows students to meet each other
• Requires them to do some thinking on the first
  day of class
• Sets the tone for the course something
  different

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Rollers Gamble

• Introduction to Expected Value
• Not every pair of students plays the same game
• Use pennies/poker chips/candies in the classroom
• Discuss various games which were fair/favored
  player/favored runner

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Markov Polo

• Introduction to Markov Chains
• Students actually experience a Markov process
  before we introduce the topic
• Requires students to consider how a matrix can be
  employed in the process
• Individual discovery activity

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Penny Face-off

• Introduction to Two-person Games
• Before topic is begun, students use the game
  matrix, possibly employing a strategy
• Various games are played throughout the classroom
• Students share their experiences with their
  classmates

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Time for Fun

• Uncover the activity nearest you
• Experience the activity for approximately 10
  minutes
• Swap activities with another group
• Experience that activity for app. 10 mins.
• Swap activities with another group
• Experience that activity for app. 10 mins.

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Comments

• Thoughts?
• Ideas for improving these activities?
• What activities do you use with your finite class?

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Extra

• Finance Project
• Dream house with 10 down
• 15-year fixed, including PMI
• 30-year fixed, including PMI
• 30-year ARM, worst case scenario

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Active Review

• A take-off on The Amazing Race
• A set of clue packets for each group of up to 4
  students
• All problems in one clue must be correct before
  they swap it for the next clue
• The instructor is the keeper of the clues
• Roadblocks!
• Display the groups progress throughout the game.

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Contact information

• Nancy Rivers njrivers_at_waketech.e
  du
• Deborah Benton dsbenton_at_waketech.edu