fermi math

Posing questions with limited information given

Born in Rome but became an American citizen

Developed statistical law now know as “Fermi statistics”

Became a nuclear physicistWorked on the solving problems associated

with the early work on the atomic bombWas an author and researcher

How many water balloons would it take to fill the school gymnasium

What is the mass (in potatoes) of your classroom

How much fabric is needed for a groundhog’s bathrobe?

If your classmates were the size of a groundhog, how much fabric would it take to make every classmate a robe?

How big is a groundhog?

How big is a groundhog? How do I find out how much they weigh?

How big is a groundhog? How do I find out how much they weigh? How do you measure fabric for a

groundhog?

How big is a groundhog? How do I find out how much they weigh? How do you measure fabric for a

groundhog? Is it a boy or girl groundhog

How big is a groundhog? How do I find out how much they weigh? How do you measure fabric for a

groundhog? Is it a boy or girl groundhog How much fabric is needed for a human’s

bathrobe

How big is a groundhog? How do I find out how much they weigh? How do you measure fabric for a

groundhog? Is it a boy or girl groundhog How much fabric is needed for a human’s

bathrobe What type of bathrobe do they wear?

How big is a groundhog? How do I find out how much they weigh? How do you measure fabric for a

groundhog? Is it a boy or girl groundhog How much fabric is needed for a human’s

bathrobe What type of bathrobe do they wear? What type of fabric will we use

How big is a groundhog? How do I find out how much they weigh? How do you measure fabric for a

groundhog? Is it a boy or girl groundhog How much fabric is needed for a human’s

bathrobe What type of bathrobe do they wear? What type of fabric will we use Are there different types of ground hogs

1. Explain what you did first, second, third 2. Explain where you got your answer 3. Explain your assumptions 4. Tell what was hard, easy, fun, new,

confusing, who did what…

A model or visual is required to A model or visual is required to show what you have learned and to show what you have learned and to document your thinking and end document your thinking and end results.results.

ModelModelChartChartGraphGraphDrawingDrawingPosterPoster

Good models help show the mathematical thinking that helped to solve the problem.

They show something about measuring, scaling, proportion or numbers and are always rounded off.

(numbers will often be verrrry large or verrrry small)

40 points per problem

10 points = The answer 10 points = The list of questions 10 points = Metacognition/process

explanation 10 points = The model

Fermi Math League Website