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© 2010 Universal Uclick
release dates: February 13-19 7-1 (10)
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
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Do you enjoy math? Some kids think it’s scary, but it really can be fun. As with anything else, such as sports, the better you are at math, the more fun it is. You can become better by practicing. Math becomes easier when you learn to break down problems into smaller pieces. To learn more, The Mini Page talked with Greg Tang, author of several math books for kids.Taking it easy
Keeping it simple “The secret to being smart is taking something complicated and breaking it apart,” Greg Tang said. “It is knowing how to break things into the groups that make the most sense.” For example, when you read, you probably break things down into simple parts without even thinking about it. When you sound out a word, for example, you are breaking it into different parts. People who can solve one kind of problem are probably good at solving other kinds of problems. They’ve
learned how to break things down into simple pieces. They can also see patterns. They can see how things fit together.
Cooking by the numbers Greg said doing math is like being a good cook. When you are learning how to cook, you need to follow the recipes. But once you learn the basics, you can start improvising, or trying new things. Most good cooks don’t follow recipes
exactly. They get creative. They might put extra walnuts in the chocolate chip cookies. Or they might add peanut butter pieces instead.
If you followed every recipe exactly, you might get bored. It’s the same with math. When you’re learning, you probably need to follow the formulas. But once you get going, you can spot connections between different ideas. Solving a problem can be exciting!
jacket art © 2001 Harry Briggs, pub-lished by Scholastic
“The Grapes of Math” uses puzzles to teach kids how to see patterns in nature and to add items quickly.
Most of us think we have to picture the numbers we’re working with. But it’s hard to picture big numbers. That’s why math problems can seem scary. You don’t have to keep big numbers in your head. The main trick is to break down big numbers into simpler ones. When you do that, hard problems become easier.
Solving Problems One Step at a Time
Playing With Math
Words that remind us of math are hidden in the block below. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally. See if you can find: ADD, CONNECTIONS, ELEVEN, FIVE, FORMULA, FUN, MULTIPLY, NINE, NUMBERS, ONE, PIECES, PLAY, PRACTICE, PROBLEM, PUZZLE, RIDDLE, SIMPLE, SIX, SMALL, SOLVE, STEPS, SUM, TEN, UNDERSTAND.
Math try ’nfind
It all adds up to
fun!
S E C I T C A R P P U Z Z L E F M N E V I F M E L B O R P N O P A I F U N E L P M I S A U R I T L N X I S S P E T S D M M E P E L E E L D D I R D D B U C L N N M U S N E V E L E E L E A S N O I T C E N N O C R A S Y O N E Y L P I T L U M S E V L O S D N A T S R E D N U
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Basset Brown
the news
Hound’s
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ready resourcesfrom The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
The Mini Page provides ideas for Web sites, books or other resources that will help you learn more about this week’s topics.On the Web: • http://library.thinkquest.org/3797 • www.coolmath4kids.comAt the library: • “Math Appeal” by Greg Tang • “Math Fables” by Greg Tang • “Play Ball: Sports Math,” edited by Sara Mark and Neil
Kagan • “The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat” by
Theoni Pappas
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Dividing the ProblemsOne bite at a time Good problem-solvers can find answers to problems they’ve never seen before. If you can figure out how to solve problems in one area, you can probably figure out how to solve problems in other areas. Remember, the key is to break problems into smaller parts. For example, if you have to clean your room, it might look as if you need a bulldozer to do the job. But it’s easier if you tackle one thing at a time. First off, try making your bed. See, your room probably looks cleaner already. Now, pick up your dirty clothes. Wow! Or maybe you have to do a book report. Give yourself enough time to read just a few chapters at first. Then stop for a while. It’s easier if you don’t have to read it all at once.
Rhyming with the numbers Greg has some poems to help you break problems into simpler parts. For example: If you want to multiply by 5, how would you do it? What is 5 x 66? An easy thing to do is to multiply 66 by 10 and then cut it in half. (Five is half of 10.) Half of 660 is 330. Greg’s poem is:
“A group of 5 you’ll findwith ease.“Half of 10 is just abreeze.”
Question: How do you eat an elephant?
Answer: One bite at a time.
Solving problems can be like this riddle:
9 x 89 = 801 10 x 89 = 890890 - 89 = 801( () )
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Morris: Where do math teachers like to eat lunch?Morgan: At a lunch counter!
Murray: Why is it dangerous to do math problems in a lion’s cage?
Merry: If you add 4 plus 4, you get ate!
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All the following jokes have something in common. Can you guess the common theme or category?
Minnie: What did the magician who liked math do for fun?
Mike: Arithmetricks!
Mini Spy . . .Mini Spy and Rookie Cookie are using math to double a cookie recipe for their bake sale. See if you can find:• kite • snake • letter A • strawberry• ladder • word MINI • letter B • arrow• letter H • doughnut • ruler • banana• pencil • letter D • muffin • bell
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
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from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Meet Robert Schneider Robert Schneider recently made his first CD for kids, “Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine.” He has previously performed with adult-level bands The Apples and Elephant 6 Collective. He loves math. He is studying math at the University of Kentucky. He recently came up with a new mathematical musical scale, and
speaks at many math conferences. He has produced a song for Nickelodeon’s “Yo Gabba Gabba.” He composed and produced the theme for the Disney Channel’s “Meet the Kids.” He has also composed music for several commercials. He lives in Lexington, Ky., and tries out his music for kids with his son, Max.
phot
o by
Bob
D’A
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Dis
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Rookie Cookie’s RecipeEasy Spinach Casserole
You’ll need:• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen
chopped spinach• 2 eggs• 1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese• 1/2 cup reduced-fat milkWhat to do:1. Cook spinach according to directions. Squeeze dry with paper towels.2. Combine cooked spinach, eggs, cheese, milk, onion and salt in a
medium bowl.3. Coat a medium-size baking dish with cooking spray and pour in mixture.4. Combine melted butter with bread crumbs; spread evenly over the top.5. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cut into squares to serve. Makes
4 to 6 servings. You will need an adult’s help with this recipe. from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
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• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion• 1/2 teaspoon salt• 3 teaspoons melted butter• 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Playing With Numbers
The Mini Page StaffBetty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist
Starting with a fun trick Once you understand how numbers work, you can play all sorts of games with them. For example, you can learn to quickly multiply two-digit numbers by 11. Let’s start with: 72 x 11 792 What do you notice about the middle number? Try: 81 x 11 891 Try: 44 x 11 484 What is the same about the middle number in each answer? In all these answers, we added together the two original numbers. The sum is now in the middle of the original number. For example, take 72. 7 + 2 = 9. Nine is the middle number of the answer, 792. It went right in between the 7 and the 2.
Making it easy on yourself These fun tricks can help you multiply by 11. The reason they work is that you are breaking the problem into smaller steps. Another way to multiply by 11 is by remembering that when you are multiplying by 11, you are really multiplying by 10, then multiplying by 1. Then you add the answers together. It’s easy to picture how to multiply by 10. You just add 0 at the end. For example: 10 x 2 = 20 10 x 200 = 2,000 10 x 445 = 4,450 It’s even easier to multiply by 1. You just repeat the number. For example: 1 x 3 = 3 1 x 1,555 = 1,555 Since 11 is 10 plus 1, the problem is easy to picture. For example: 81 x 10 810
On paper, it might have looked like: 81 x 11 81 (1 x 81 = 81) 810 (10 x 81 = 810) 891
Practice multiplying different numbers by 11. Does it get easier each time you do a new problem?
An adjustment Sometimes when working with 11s, you will need to make an adjustment. If the sum of the digits in the number you are multiplying is greater than 9, you’ll need to regroup, or carry the number over. For example, if we use our trick for the problem 11 x 66, we might think the answer is 6 12 6 (or 6,126) since 6 + 6 = 12. It turns out that this answer is incorrect, and we need to make an adjustment. To get the right answer, we simply add the 1 to the 6, so 6 12 6 becomes 726. 11 x 66 = 726! Here’s another example. 11 x 79 = ? Since 7 + 9 = 16, we might think the answer is 7 16 9. But if we add the 1 to the 7, we get 869, so 11 x 79 = 869!
The Mini Page thanks Greg Tang, author and teacher of teachers, for help with this issue.
Look through your newspaper. How many articles and ads use numbers? Don’t forget to check out the sports section.
Next week, The Mini Page is all about otters.
81x 1 81
810+ 81 891
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Supersport: Cole AldrichHeight: 6-11 Weight: 245 Hometown: Bloomington, Minn. Cole Aldrich has always been one of the biggest players in college basketball. Now, though, the big Kansas junior is being hailed as one of the best players in college basketball. With his size, strength, and wingspan (arms spread) of 7 feet, 4 inches, Aldrich is a towering presence inside and a big reason Kansas is among the top teams in the nation.
Last season, the “Big A” averaged a double-double — 14.9 points, 11.1 rebounds — and was voted the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Athlete of the Year. In the Jayhawks’ 12-0 start this year, Aldrich, a pre-season All-American, averaged 11.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and blocked 46 shots. When the Jayhawks won the NCAA title in 2008, Aldrich — a communications major — was described as a “role player.” Now he’s a key player on a talented KU team that could win another national championship.
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Try multiplying by 9. Can you multiply 9 x 6? How about 9 x 89? Remember to break the problems into simpler parts. Here’s Greg’s poem to help you:“A group of 9 requires tact.“Start with 10 and then subtract.” (10-1=9) Answers: 9 x 6 = 54 10 x 6 = 60 60 - 6 = 54 Can you see how much easier it is to work problems if you break them down into easier steps? Can you come up with rhymes of your own to help you solve problems?
