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 - June 11, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 11, 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 0:00
Hey, fellow mathers. Welcome to the podcast where Math is Figure-Out-Able. She's Kim Montague.
Kim 0:06
And she's Pam Harris.
Pam 0:08
And this episode is a MathStratChat episode.
Kim 0:12
Yeah, we're going to talk about some strategies. Alright, the problem today is 5.3 plus 0.99. Go ahead and solve it. Come back. Tell us... No, you can't tell us how you solve it. We're going to tell you.
Pam 0:27
(unclear). We're going to tell you, but hopefully you solved it. Yeah, solve it, solve it. Whatever you do.
Kim 0:30
5.3 plus 0.99.
Pam 0:32
5.3
plus 0.99.
Kim 0:35
That's the one.
Pam 0:36
Okay, I'm going to start today.
Kim 0:37
Go for it.
Pam 0:37
So, I'm going to think about $5.30 plus $0.99. If I think about $5.30 plus $1.00, that's $6.30. But that's a penny too much, so $6.29 or 6.29 or 6 and 29/100.
Kim 0:52
Yeah.
Pam 0:53
What you got?
Kim 0:54
Yeah. Well, last week you wanted to do a little swapping. And for this one, it makes sense a lot to me to say I'm going to start with a bigger amount. So, I'm going to say this problem is 5.99 plus $0.30. And I like that because $5.99 is so close to $6.00 bucks.
Pam 1:09
Sure enough.
Kim 1:10
So, then if I add a penny to get to $6.00, I only have $0.29 left. I matched your $6.29.
Pam 1:18
I
love it because you just got to the place where what is $6.00 and @0.29. $6.29. Yeah, the question is the answer. I love
that.
Kim 1:26
I know. Alright. Well...
Pam 1:27
(unclear) wait to see
Kim 1:28
Oh.
Pam 1:28
(unclear) each week. I'm
trying to switch this up.
Kim 1:31
It's fine. I like it.
Pam 1:32
And let us know how you think about the problems. And please comment on each other's strategies.
Kim 1:37
Yeah, Pam's going to post the problem on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Central. And when you answer, tag her, and use the hashtag MathStratChat.
Pam 1:45
Then you
can join us here to hear how we're thinking about the problem. Ya'll, thanks so much for joining us in the Math is Figure-Out-Able movement. Math is Figure-Out-Able!