The Great Hamster Race Kirby and Shelby each have a hamster. As part of a project they decided to have the hamsters race through a 1.50 m maze. After the first minute Kirby's hamster was 35 cm from the starting point and Shelby's hamster was 25 cm from the starting point. Because hamsters don't really understand racing, after the second minute both hamsters were 30 cm from the starting point. At the end of three minutes Kirby's hamster was 65 cm from the starting point and Shelby's hamster was 55 cm from the starting point. At the end of four minutes both hamsters were 60 cm from the starting point. If the race kept going the same way, who's hamster finally won the race and how many minutes did it take for the hamster to win?

What is the question we are asked? Kirby and Shelby each have a hamster. As part of a project they decided to have the hamsters race through a 1.50 m maze. After the first minute Kirby's hamster was 35 cm from the starting point and Shelby's hamster was 25 cm from the starting point. Because hamsters don't really understand racing, after the second minute both hamsters were 30 cm from the starting point. At the end of three minutes Kirby's hamster was 65 cm from the starting point and Shelby's hamster was 55 cm from the starting point. At the end of four minutes both hamsters were 60 cm from the starting point. If the race kept going the same way, whose hamster finally won the race and how many minutes did it take for the hamster to win?

What information do we have? Kirby and Shelby each have a hamster. As part of a project they decided to have the hamsters race through a 1.50 m maze. After the first minute Kirby's hamster was 35 cm from the starting point and Shelby's hamster was 25 cm from the starting point. Because hamsters don't really understand racing, after the second minute both hamsters were 30 cm from the starting point. At the end of three minutes Kirby's hamster was 65 cm from the starting point and Shelby's hamster was 55 cm from the starting point. At the end of four minutes both hamsters were 60 cm from the starting point. If the race kept going the same way, who's hamster finally won the race and how many minutes did it take for the hamster to win?

What information do we have? 2 hamsters 1.5 m (150 cm) maze to race in Hamster 1 is 35 cm, 30 cm, 65 cm, 60 cm from start after each of the first 4 minutes Hamster 2 is 25 cm, 30 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm from start after each of the first 4 minutes There is a pattern to find ( If the race kept going the same way... )

What information are we looking for? Where each hamster is after the next minute, and the one after that, and so on When each hamster passes the 150 cm (1.5 m) mark in the maze Which hamster crossed first The number of minutes it took for the winning hamster to get to the 150 cm mark for the first time.

start finish start finish Kirby’s Hamster Shelby’s Hamster After 1 minute...

start finish start finish Kirby’s Hamster Shelby’s Hamster After 2 minutes...

start finish start finish Kirby’s Hamster Shelby’s Hamster After 3 minutes...

start finish start finish Kirby’s Hamster Shelby’s Hamster After 4 minutes...

start finish start finish Kirby’s Hamster Shelby’s Hamster After 1 minute... Make a chart of how far the hamsters go. The minutes are across the top and the two hamsters down the side Kirby’s 35 Shelby’s 25

start finish start finish Kirby’s Hamster Shelby’s Hamster After 2 minutes Kirby’s Shelby’s 25 30

start finish start finish Kirby’s Hamster Shelby’s Hamster After 3 minutes Kirby’s Shelby’s

start finish start finish Kirby’s Hamster Shelby’s Hamster After 4 minutes Kirby’s Shelby’s

Look for a pattern to complete the chart You could go up by 30 every second minute Kirby’s Shelby’s

Look for a pattern to complete the chart You could go up by 30 every second minute You could add 35 one minute and subtract 5 the next for Kirby’s hamster and 25 one minute and add five the next for Shelby’s You could go 5 above the even minute for Kirby’s hamster and 5 below for Shelby’s hamster Kirby’s Shelby’s

Find the Answer to the Problem in the chart After 10 minutes both hamsters are at the finish line – 1.5 m from the start Kirby’s Shelby’s

Find the Answer to the Problem in the chart After 10 minutes both hamsters are at the finish line – 150 cm (1.5 m) from the start. But after only 9 minutes, Kirby’s hamster was already past the finish line at 155 cm from the start. Then Kirby’s hamster won, crossing the finish line after only 9 minutes Kirby’s Shelby’s