Math is Figure-Out-Able!
Math teacher educator Pam Harris and her cohost Kim Montague answer the question: If not algorithms, then what? Join them for ~15-30 minutes every Tuesday as they cast their vision for mathematics education and give actionable items to help teachers teach math that is Figure-Out-Able. See www.MathisFigureOutAble.com for more great resources!
Math is Figure-Out-Able!
#MathStratChat - April 23, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 23, 2025.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Want more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!
Pam 00:01
Hey, fellow mathers! Welcome to the podcast where Math is Figure-Out-Able. I'm Pam Harris.
Kim 00:07
And I'm Kim Montague.
Pam 00:08
And this episode is a MathStratChat episode because we chat about our math strategies. Every Wednesday evening, I throw out a math problem on social media, and people from around the world chat about the strategies they use, and comment on each other's thinking.
Kim 00:21
Okay, so this Wednesday, our math problem was 9 times two-thirds. How would you solve this problem? Pause the podcast. Solve it however you'd like. The problem is 9 times two-thirds.
Pam 00:33
Alright, Kim. You're up. What are you thinking about 9 times two-thirds?
Kim 00:37
I'm going to actually solve two-thirds of 9.
Pam 00:43
Okay. Little commutative property there.
Pam and Kim 00:47
Mmhm.
Kim 00:47
So, one-third of 9 would be 3, so two-thirds of 9 would be 6.
Pam 00:53
Nice. I like it.
Kim 00:54
Yeah.
Pam 00:55
Okay, I'm going to think about nine 1/3s, and then I'm going to double that.
Kim 01:02
Okay.
Pam 01:03
So, instead of nine 2/3s, I'm just going to find half of it. Nine 1/3s. So, three 1/3s is 1. So nine 1/3s would be 3. But then I have to double that, and that's 6.
Kim 01:18
Okay.
Pam 01:19
What do you think?
Kim 01:20
I like it.
Pam 01:22
I wonder, Kim. I was kind of expecting you to do something different. I mean, I like what you did. Would you ever think about 9 times 1?
Kim 01:32
Oh, and then back up a third?
Pam 01:33
Yeah!
Kim 01:34
I mean, yes, except in this particular case.
Pam 01:39
Yeah?
Kim 01:39
The one-third I'm either going to double it or if I'm going to go back. I only like to go Over when... I shouldn't say "only". It felt like the same amount of dealing with one-third to be honest with you.
Pam 01:53
Interesting. Okay, okay. Well, let me just finish that out. So, 9 times, 1 is 9. But I only want two-thirds of 9, so I'm going to back up a third. And a third of 9 is 3. 9 minus 3 is 6. Okay. Alright.
Kim 02:07
Alright. Well, we can't wait to see what you guys do every week on MathStratChat. Join us and let us know how you think about the problems and comment on each other's strategies.
Pam 02:16
I'll post the problem on Wednesday around 7:00 pm Central. When you answer, tag me and use the hashtag MathStratChat, then join us to hear how we're thinking about the problem. Ya'll, thanks for joining us as part of the Math is Figure-Out-Able movement. Math is Figure-Out-Able!