Combination locks : I forgot the combination! How many combinations will I have to try?

URL: http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/c22/challenge.htm

1007936

This activity asks the student to find the number of possible combinations for a lock showing the numbers 0 to 39. It is part of the Figure This! collection of 80 online mathematical challenges emphasizing real world uses of mathematics. The solution to the combination question applies the technique of using a smaller number of possible arrangements to study a problem. Students learn to use a tree diagram to model possible outcomes and explore the mathematical meaning of the term combination. They are further challenged to determine the number of possible combinations for other types of locks and to find the total number of phone numbers possible for an area code. The activity includes a solution hint, family activities, and a list of resources related to locks. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse

Summary

Subject keyword(s)	Combinations and permutations, Education, Mathematics, Probability, Process skills, Real world applications, Reasoning
Grade level	Middle School, Informal Education
Intended audience	Learner
Resource type	Audio/Visual, Instructional Material
Resource format	image, image/gif, text, text/html
Rights	Content copyright 1999-2002 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Found in collection(s)

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Title	Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
Link	http://msteacher2.org/
Description	The Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) supports middle grades educators with high-quality, standards-based resources and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its users. Educators use MSP2 to increase content knowledge in science, mathematics, and appropriate pedagogy for youth ages 10 to 15. MSP2 employs social networking and digital tools to foster dynamic experiences that promote creation, modification, and sharing of resources, facilitate professional development, and support the integration of technology into practice. MSP2 is a project of the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center, Inc., and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The partners integrate resources, tools, and services across projects, and support multiple methods of resource discovery to meet the needs of this audience.
	Full description and distribution of resources

Content contained within the resource

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