Ask Dr. Math

Elementary Archive

Browse Elementary Projects

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Demonstrating Inertia [10/10/1995]

A hole is bored through the exact center of the earth from the North Pole to the South Pole, and a mass is dropped into the hole in the exact center. What happens next? Do you know of a project that can demonstrate the results to fifth graders?

Estimating the Number of Jelly Beans in a Jar [2/18/1995]

I'm doing my fifth grade project on probability. I need help naming/finding the reason why the average of the guesses of how many things are in jar is a good prediction of the exact number of things in the jar.

Using an Abacus [1/12/1996]

Our fifth grade class of gifted and talented math students is trying to figure out how to use an abacus.

4th Grade Estimation Problems [4/19/1996]

What types of problems exemplify using order of magnitude in estimation and compensation in estimation at the fourth grade level?

6th and 3rd Grade Math Resources [11/2/1994]

My sons, in 6th and 3rd grade, love math. Is there a Web forum, downloadable problems, or how do I get them involved?

Breaking the Sound Barrier [10/21/1997]

I am trying to find a way to incorporate breaking the sound barrier into a math lesson for my third grade class.

History of Numerals and Counting: Bibliography [11/18/1996]

Where do I find information on different systems of measurements?

Magic Squares for 3rd and 4th Grade [11/5/1994]

HELP - I am an administrator with a grade 3 teacher for a wife. Her children love to do Magic Squares (rows, columns and diagonals add up to the same number) - is there an easy way to create these squares, suitable for grade 3 or 4? Is there a source of examples?

Magic Squares puzzle [11/9/1994]

Can you please send me the Puzzle (and the solution) called the Magic Square?

Multiplying with an Abacus [3/12/1996]

Is it possible to multiply with an abacus? My students have searched for an hour and found only addition and subtraction.

Numeral Systems and Representing Numbers [10/30/1998]

Can you tell me the different ways the number 8 is represented? For example, what about different numeral systems?

Pentominoes [11/1/1994]

I'm interested in learning about pentominoes -- creative uses in class, solutions to the 6 X 10 rectangle, etc. Have any ideas? A bibliography to share, perhaps?

Plane Symmetry [10/3/1995]

I have to do a mathematics paper on plane symmetry and also a challenging activity related to this appropriate for grades four to six. Can you suggest a possible resource?

Remove Five Toothpicks, Leave Three Squares [09/16/2002]

If you have six squares made up of toothpicks, how can you remove five toothpicks and leave three squares?

Weighted Coin Project [02/01/1997]

Analyze the results from flipping a non-weighted coin and a weighted coin.

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