I gave a math test on Friday that was taken from the students' text books. These chapter tests often have one or more questions that require a written explanation in addition to, or in place of, a numerical answer. Since the Gen Ed kids I used to teach were always hardly able to express themselves through writing, and since I now teach English Language Learners who REALLY have trouble expressing themselves in written English, I usually make these questions Extra Credit questions.
One such question on Friday's test read as follows," A cake has been cut into 40 pieces. Is it reasonable to say that this is enough cake for 32 people? Explain."
If the kids said anything to the extent that yes, it is reasonable because there are more pieces of cake than there are people, I gave them 1 point extra credit. If they expressed things even more clearly, I gave them 2 points.
One boy wrote this, "No, it doesn't make sense because sometimes people want to eat 2 pieces of cake or three."
I gave him 2 extra credit points. It wasn't really the answer I was looking for, but he explained his thinking quite clearly, and being a man with a large appetite myself, I can't disagree with him...
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10 comments:
He's a future wedding caterer.
be honest... was he the fat kid?
A bit chunky, perhaps, but not the fat kid in the group...
That is something my teenagers would say, too. Too funny!
I loved this scene! In fact, I laughed out loud because personally I would enjoy two pieces of cake- or three! I am currently an education student learning how to teach this exact math concept. So, of course it made me laugh! I do have a test coming up... This kid deserved 2 extra credit points- or three! Thanks for sharing this funny story!
Excellent answer! I agree with Margaret, he has a future in catering!
I wonder how many points that would earn him on the state achievement test?
as a person who has eaten half a birthday cake in a couple days, i could not agree more. :)
What would Marie Antoinette say?
And no one said how big the cake was. An 8 inch round will not serve 32 people no matter how many pieces you cut it into.
^^^ this is why I never did well in math. =/
Rebel said...
And no one said how big the cake was. An 8 inch round will not serve 32 people no matter how many pieces you cut it into.
^^^ this is why I never did well in math. =/
This reminds me of the Aggie who when ordering a pizza says to the waitress: "I'm pretty hungry. I'd like a large pepperoni." The waitress asks,"would you like that cut into eight slices or twelve?". To which the Aggie replies,"better make it eight, I could never eat twelve."
AJ
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