Simulating Mixture Problems with Beads

Topic(s):

This activity, created by Arthur N. DiVito, Ph.D, simulates mixture problems by using red and white colored beads. Mixture A is 70% red, and mixture B is 40% red (as determined by weight). The students are asked to created a "solution" with a given weight whose concentration of red is between 40% and 70% using the above solutions. Students empirically verify the final "solution" has the proper percent of red beads by separating colors and weighing them separately. As the author mentions, many students have difficult with mixture problems because they don't understand percents well. This hands on activity gives a tangible representation of percents in addition to the overarching concepts needed to solve mixture problems.

Identifier:

http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Coll_Group_SanDiegoCommunityCollegesDevelopmentalMathExchange/SimulatingMixtureProblemswithBeads?bc=;Coll_Group_SanDiegoCommunityCollegesDevelopmentalMathExchange.ElementaryAlgebra;Coll_Group_SanDiegoCommunityColleges

Subject:

Combinatorics

Discrete Mathematics

Rating: