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Activity 5

The Twin’s Towers

Students develop the concept of a variable while solving problems using the bkey and the key.

Patterns and Functions

problem solving

percents

adding fractions

Materials

blocks or cutouts

student activity sheet (provided)

TI-73 ³

Setup

Discuss the following situation with your class.

My twin brother and sister are building towers with blocks. They built them in the following ways.

Build the towers with blocks as you discuss this

activity or have the students build them with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-level tower

2-level tower

3-level tower

The twins want to know how many blocks they will need for a tower 27 levels high. Can you help them find this?

No. of levels

1

2

3

4

5 . . . . . .

27

No. of blocks

3

4

5

6

7 . . . . . .

29

© 1998 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED