The National Math Trail

North Brookfield Elementary School
Names: Madison Hicks and Samantha Ryel
Grades: 4th grade students, enrichment program
Description: We chose weather because it is interesting to us. Also, we've been having lots of snow this year.
Concepts: decimals, measurement, whole number operations
Grade level 5-6th
Curriculum Framework Learning Standards 1) Construct number meaning by using manipulatives and other physical materials to represent concepts of numbers in the real world.
2) interpret the multiple uses of numbers by taking real-world situations and translating them into numerical statements.
3) Relate the mathematical language and symbolism of operations to problem situations.
4) Know when to use the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and describe their relationships.
5) Use calculators in appropriate computational situations.
6) Discover how to form, then write, number sentences for real problems.


The Blizzard of’78

In our hometown, North Brookfield, and all over the east coast, we had a huge snowstorm. The interesting thing is it fell on the anniversary of the Blizzard of ’78. That’s what gave us the idea to do our math problem on the Blizzard of ’78.

During this blizzard, parts of New England received two to three feet of snow. However, snowdrifts were up to 15 feet high. As a result, many residents would learn their lessons from this storm, and become more aware, and prepared much earlier for future Winter Storms and Blizzards. One reason is because up to 54 people lost their lives in New England. As a result, this storm is often called the "Storm of the Century". The 36 hour storm not only paralyzed an entire region for a week, it is remembered by those who survived it as simply "The Blizzard".

Some interesting facts about the Blizzard are: snow fell at up to 3 inches per hour at its heaviest time and wind blew at gusts of up to 67 miles per hour. In the state of Rhode Island alone, 900 school children were stranded overnight in schools. Thousands and thousands of cars were abandoned and had to be towed from streets. Just a few hours after the storm began, a mammoth traffic jam was formed by 2,000 vehicles on Providence’s interlocking expressways.

 

Math Problem #1

The Blizzard of 1978

After the blizzard of ’78, snowdrifts were fifteen feet high, and level snow was three feet high. If, starting March 1(providing there are no more snowstorms), the snowdrifts melted 5 inches a day, and level snow melted ¾ inch a day, in a month (31 days) how many feet high would snowdrifts be? How high would level snow be? How much higher would snowdrifts be than level snow, after melting for a month?

(Hint: twelve inches equals one foot.)

 Answers to #1:

1. 2 feet, 1 inch

2. 12.75 inches

3. 12.25 inches

 

Averages

In North Brookfield, during November through February, the average precipitation is from 3.50 inches to 4.50 inches of snow. In March through October, the average amount of precipitation is 3.90 inches to 4.30 inches of rain. In Phoenix, from November through February, there was 0.70 inches to 1.00 inch. From March to October the average amount of precipitation is 0.10 inches to 1.00 inch.

Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona

Math Problem #2

Averages #1

If from November to February, in North Brookfield, the average amount of precipitation is 8 inches. From November to February, in Phoenix, the average amount of precipitation is 0.77 inches. How much more precipitation does North Brookfield, Massachusetts receive than Phoenix, Arizona?

Answer:

7.23 inches

Math Problem #3

Averages #2

From March to October, in N. Brookfield, the average amount of precipitation is 31.20 inches. In Phoenix, from March to October, the average is 4.70 inches of precipitation. How much more precipitation does North Brookfield receive than Phoenix?

Answer:

26.50

 

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