Managing Time for Success: Math Confidence Workshop

Managing Time for Success Using productivity and organizational tools, performance and learning can be maximized while leaving time for other important activities including down time.  This talk includes Robin's sharing her own system of time management including setting goals, listening to powerful speakers such as Tony Robbins and Jim Rohn, implementing tools like Franklin Covey planner and Darren Hardy's Weekly Rhythm Register.  This talk can be for students as well as people in the corporate world, parents and anyone who would like to take their life to the next level! College of Mount Saint Vincent, Weds. 1/30/13 4PM  Elizabeth Seton Library

December 2012 Brain Teaser Solution

Q: Paula and Georgia play a game with dice that have colors instead of numbers.  Some faces are pink and some are green.  Paula wins when the two top faces are the same color.  Georgia wins when the colors are different. Their chances are even.
The first die has 5 pink faces and 1 green face. On the second die, how many faces are pink and how many are green? 

A: 3 pink faces and 3 green faces

At first it may seem as if the second die should have the reverse of the first (1 pink and 5 green) but that would make Georgia win too often as the chance of different colors would be too high.
This can be done with a guess and check. 
5 pink and 1 green matched with 2 pink and 4 green would give
P           P
P              P
P              G
P              G
P              G
G           G

PP, PP, PP, PP, PP, GP, PP, PP, PP, PP, PP, GP, PP, PP, PG, PG, PG, GG, PP, PP, PG, PG, PG, GG,PP, PP, PG, PG, PG, GG, GP, GP, GG, GG, GG, GG

still too many that match giving Paula an advantage



This can be done with a guess and check. 
5 pink and 1 green matched with 3 pink and 3 green would give
P           P
P              P
P              P
P              G
P              G
G           G

(keep the second column steady while changing the first die)
PP, PP, PP, PP, PP, GP, PP, PP, PP, PP, PP, GP, PP, PP, PP, PP, PP, GP,
PG,PG,PG, PG, PG, GG, PG,PG,PG, PG, PG, GG, PG,PG,PG, PG, PG, GG
This makes 15 PP and 3 GG making 18 that are the same (and 18 different)

If you want to keep the first column steady and change the second:
PP, PP, PP, PG, PG, PG, PP, PP, PP, PG, PG, PG, PP, PP, PP, PG, PG, PG, PP, PP, PP, PG, PG, PG,, PP, PP, PP, PG, PG, PG, GP, GP, GP, GG, GG, GG

PG,PG,PG, PG, PG, GG, PG,PG,PG, PG, PG, GG, PG,PG,PG, PG, PG, GG
This makes 15 PP and 3 GG making 18 that are the same (and 18 different)



Solution 2:
Bill Adams said that he solved it using probability fractions:

Pink 5/6  x Pink 3/6 = 15/36 Pink Pink

Pink 5/6  x Green 3/6

Green1/6 x Pink 3/6
Green 1/6 x Green3/6 = 3/36 Green Green

Add those together and 15/36 + 3/36 = 18/36 = 1/2!

The Math Confidence Challenge

Take The Math Confidence Challenge 

Study for and take the SAT and/or ACT 

Math Coaching by Math Confidence

Robin has worked with children, young adults and adults since 2000 building Math knowledge, confidence and study skills for academic, professional and personal success.  Her refreshing and comforting approach engages the learner and enables them to accomplish their academic and personal goals.

Some students have needed a study partner while others have needed a turnaround.

Many learners have improved their knowledge, skills, and scores preparing with Robin for standardized exams (state tests, SHSAT, Regents, SAT, SAT II) and/or classroom tests while boosting their attitude and comfort with Math.   Students and their families benefit from the Math Confidence advantage that helps students learn, retain and understand the material in a relaxed and secure manner.  

College level programs of study, outside of math-specific fields still require challenging math courses.  Achievement in these courses, such as calculus, teaches students perseverance and problem-solving skills essential in many professional careers (i.e. medicine).  These skills provide professional candidates with a competitive edge in their chosen fields and give a sense of personal accomplishment. 

Prof. Schwartz designs and delivers workshops both as a presenter and facilitator and attends many seminars and conferences for lifelong learning.  Her memorable nicknames for Math concepts such as "the lonely girl at the dance" for the middle term in (x+3)^2 and "the Math police" who drive up when fractions are 'illegally' canceled make learners smile (and remember)!

FAQ about Math and Math Confidence

Q: Why take Math?

A: Even nontechnical positions like advertising are appreciating quantitative skills according to the New York Times Ad Companies Face a Widening Talent Gap.  The actual Math one learns in school may or may not be used on the job, but the process of learning and doing Math teaches problem solving and critical thinking as well as persistence.  These skills are useful in work and in life.

Why Must I Learn Math? by Mark Karadimos

Why Should We Take Math?

Achieve on Do All High School Students Need Challenging Math?

Q. How can people build their Math Confidence?

A: 1. Practice!! Solve Math problems (Math opportunities) including multiple choice as compare/contrast with "good wrong answers" can increase knowledge, skills, attitude and scores!  2. Treat Math exams like athletic events -- prepare by studying but also by eating breakfast, getting a good night's rest and packing up the night before. 3. Embrace Math mistakes! Learning from errors can be challenging emotionally but will improve critical thinking, build confidence and expand educational and career options.

Q: What are the top factors for success in Math?  

A: Here are some top tips for academic success and confidence:

Be prepared and proactive

A review sheet is a gift

Metacognition (raise self-awareness about your thinking)

Attention to Detail (reduce fuzzy errors)

Self-Care (sleep, food, stress management)

Effort expended (the feeling of a job well done)

Math Success Factors Power Point by Edmonton Public Schools

Q. Are Math facts important?

Some of us from the 1900s remember standing up and reciting facts in class to learn times tables.  Very few schools still do this but automaticity of Math facts is advantageous as it builds confidence and speed and makes Math more enjoyable. Although many types of calculators are available on cell phones, there are also Math challenges like

Android App Math Workout and other great tools available likeGreat Fact Practice at Dad's Worksheets , Developing Automaticity with Math Facts from Mrs Russ and FASTTMATH for Automaticity of Math Facts.

Q. Isn't Math just formulas?

1. What is the equation of a line?  2. The slope formula?

3. Circumference of a circle?  4. Area of a circle?

Click here for the formulas 

If Math were just formulas then open book exams would be easy!  

Many professors of Math and other technical subjects along with the Professional Engineering licensing exam allow open book exams.

PE Exam Guidelines.

A:  No, Math is much more than formulas.  Applying the formulas is the challenge -- many formulas are tricky (like exponent rules) so examples are best to improve recall.  Progress can be made by thinking about and understanding the formulas.  For example, volume is three dimensional, therefore, the units will be units cubed such as ft cubed or cm^3.  For area , the answer will contain square units and perimeter (or circumference) will be just units. 

Q: What are "fuzzy errors"?

A: How much is 2^0?  (2 to the zero power)  Answer 

People often get the incorrect answer due to a lack of focus rather than a lack of understanding.   Some common topics that illustrate this idea are: Area vs Perimeter, Exponent Rules, the word "NOT"

and the ubiquitous minus sign mistake.

One excellent way to reduce fuzzy errors is to study multiple choice items that have tempting good wrong answers."Is that your final answer?" is a way to help raise awareness and critical thinking -- it would be great if "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had an Algebra version!

Multiple Choice Exam Construction includes Distractors 

Math Confidence Blog on Fuzzy Errors