Infinite Fun in a Finite Math Class Nancy RiversDeborah Benton Wake Technical Community College 6600 Louisburg Rd Raleigh, NC 27616

Goals/Plan Introduce you to four activities we use with our students Allow time for you to “play student” and experience these activities Share your impressions, constructive comments Allow you to share activities you employ.

Our Finite Math Classes Excel based ◦ Use Solver instead of the Simplex Method ◦ Calculators can also be used Targets mainly business majors needing a third math course Typically last math before transferring

Course Outline Financial Linear Programming Probability Matrices Markov Chains Game Theory

First Day Ice Breaker Four Color Problem Allows students to meet each other Requires them to do some thinking on the first day of class Sets the tone for the course – something different

Roller’s Gamble Introduction to Expected Value Not every pair of students plays the same game Use pennies/poker chips/candies in the classroom Discuss various games: which were fair/favored player/favored “runner”

Markov Polo Introduction to Markov Chains Students actually experience a Markov process before we introduce the topic Requires students to consider how a matrix can be employed in the process Individual discovery activity

Penny Face-off Introduction to Two-person Games Before topic is begun, students use the game matrix, possibly employing a strategy Various games are played throughout the classroom Students share their experiences with their classmates

Time for Fun Uncover the activity nearest you Experience the activity for approximately 10 minutes Swap activities with another group Experience that activity for app. 10 mins. Swap activities with another group Experience that activity for app. 10 mins.

Comments Thoughts? Ideas for improving these activities? What activities do you use with your finite class?

Extra Finance Project Dream house with 10% down 15-year fixed, including PMI 30-year fixed, including PMI 30-year ARM, worst case scenario

Active Review A take-off on “The Amazing Race” A set of clue packets for each group of up to 4 students All problems in one clue must be correct before they swap it for the next clue The instructor is the keeper of the clues Roadblocks! Display the groups progress throughout the game.

Contact information Nancy Rivers Deborah Benton