MY Access! Math Prompts
High School
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Adult Mortality Rates (Informative/Explanatory)
The accompanying graph shows adult mortality rates (from ages 15 to 60) from Ethiopia, the United States, Afghanistan, Switzerland, and China for the years 1990, 2000, and 2006. These data are for both sexes per population of 1,000.
In a multi-paragraph essay, summarize the information contained in the graph. You may want to select and report the main features, compare and contrast data between countries, and make connections to likely contributing factors where relevant.
Analysis of Program Enrollment Trends (Informative/Explanatory)
The accompanying graph was compiled by Acme University's Admissions Department to show trends in the numbers of students applying to major in engineering, liberal arts, and allied health programs in 2005 through 2009.
In a multi-paragraph essay, analyze the graph and describe the major trends and details that it displays. In your response, focus on comparing, contrasting, and categorizing the data in the graph.
Can We Trust Statistics? (Informative/Explanatory)
Statistics are used to substantiate and refute claims, document research findings, and address hypotheses. We encounter them in journal, magazine, and newspaper articles and hear them on television and radio. At all times we are faced with the option of either questioning or believing these statistics.
In a well-developed essay, discuss whether a statistic can be accepted without reservation or should first be investigated. Include facts and examples to support your position.
College Admissions: Financial Planning (Informative/Explanatory)
As college costs continue to rise faster than the general rate of inflation, young college students are increasingly finding themselves saddled with debt and forced to make complex financial decisions. In response, some colleges now channel freshmen through personal finance seminars in which students learn how to budget, how to understand loan terminology, and how to avoid common financial pitfalls.
Think about the financial challenges you may face when you attend college. You may also want to interview a college student you know about his or her challenging experiences. In an essay addressed to a college financial aid officer, outline the financial challenges you believe you will face as a college student and a plan to deal with them successfully. How can you ensure that you will graduate college in good financial shape?
Dependence on Calculators (Persuasive/Argument)
The first mechanical calculator was invented in 1642, but it was not until modern times that the average person relied heavily on a machine to complete mathematical calculations. Today, there are calculators with specific applications, including one which will convert measurements for recipes. Have we become too dependent on calculators? What might be the long-term consequences of this dependence?
In a well-developed essay, articulate your position on the level of our dependence on calculators. Include examples and reasons for your position.
Description of a Venn Diagram (Informative/Explanatory)
Describe what a Venn diagram is.
Differences Between Pyramids (Informative/Explanatory)
Explain in words how a triangular pyramid differs from a rectangular pyramid.
Eliminating the Penny (Persuasive/Argument)
For many years, there has been a growing debate over whether or not the penny should be eliminated from all cash transactions. There are vastly differing opinions on the effect the elimination of the penny would have on the government, businesses, and individuals. What is your opinion on this issue? Should the penny be eliminated?
Write a persuasive letter to your Congressman or Congresswoman arguing for or against the elimination of the penny. Be sure to include specific details and examples to support your argument.
Explanation of a Solution to a Math Problem (Informative/Explanatory)
Common Core math practice standards are educational guidelines that help students become proficient problem solvers. By following the guidelines, you can present a clear, concise, and accurate explanation for your solution to a math problem. After solving a math problem, write a multi-paragraph essay by following the Common Core math practice standards process:
Introduce the problem and describe the scenario.
Analyze the information given.
Solve the problem.
Justify the answer.
Use details from the math problem that you solved to fully support your discussion of the four steps listed.
Geometry in Structures (Informative/Explanatory)
Geometry plays an important role in the design and construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures. In a well-developed essay, discuss a structure and the way that geometry is used in its design and construction.
Healthy Life Expectancy (Informative/Explanatory)
The accompanying graph shows the life-expectancy projections from data collected in 1999 for men and women in Japan, Mexico, Cambodia, and Malawi.
In a multi-paragraph essay, analyze the information presented in the graph. Your analysis may include a summary, comparison, or contrast of data in the graph.
Height, Weight, and Body Mass Index (Informative/Explanatory)
The accompanying graph illustrates the relationships between height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and healthiness of weight. Measurements are given in metric and standard units.
In a multi-paragraph essay, summarize and describe the information in the graph, making comparisons when possible.
Helping a Friend in Math Class (Informative/Explanatory)
One of your friends dislikes mathematics and has been doing poorly on homework assignments. He/she has asked you for help.
Write a letter to your friend that provides strategies to be successful in math class. Be sure to provide details and examples.
International Tourist Destinations (Informative/Explanatory)
The accompanying graph shows trends in the number of tourists visiting the United States, China, Japan, Mexico, and France in the years 2004, 2006, and 2008.
In a multi-paragraph essay, summarize and describe the information in the graph, making comparisons when possible.
Mathematics - Simplifying the Complex (Informative/Explanatory)
"The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple." - S. Gudder
In a well-developed essay, explain how mathematics has been used to make complicated things simple. Be sure to provide specific details and examples as a part of your explanation.
Math Video Improves Understanding (Informative/Explanatory)
We are not usually asked to describe or discuss math concepts except in a math class, and we are very rarely asked to write about them. However, writing about math concepts can improve learning, reinforce our understanding of the concepts, and strengthen our understanding of the vocabulary and terminology. After viewing a math video, think about the new concepts introduced, how they relate to what you have already learned, and how you will use them in the future. How was the video able to illustrate the concepts to improve your understanding?
In a well-developed essay, discuss the math concepts of the video and how the video impacted your understanding of those concepts. Include facts and details to support your discussion.
The Importance of Math in Travel (Informative/Explanatory)
Transportation is one of the most important aspects of modern society. Math plays an important role in planning for and traveling effectively. In a detailed essay, discuss some of the important ways that math is used in travel.
Use of Rote Memorization in Mathematics Instruction (Persuasive/Argument)
Many experts have argued for the elimination of rote memorization as a method for learning mathematical facts such as basic operations and properties. They believe that other instructional practices are more effective. What do you think?
In a well-developed essay, articulate your position on the value of rote memorization of mathematical facts. Be sure to include specific reasons and examples to support your argument.
Using Geometry to Plan a Memorial Park (Informative/Explanatory)
You are on the Buildings and Grounds Committee in your city and have been assigned the task of creating a memorial park for veterans who have served in the community. The park will consist of a playground, bathrooms, a parking lot, a memorial fountain, and a spotlight for the fountain. The playground, bathrooms, and parking lot will be connected by sidewalks in the shape of a triangle. The memorial fountain will be placed within this triangle, equidistant from the sidewalks that connect the playground, bathrooms, and parking lot. A spotlight for the fountain will be placed equidistant from the playground, bathrooms, and parking lot. A canopy that will be used for the dedication of the park will cover the area between the playground, bathrooms, and parking lot. The balance point of the canopy must be determined for the center pole or the canopy will collapse.
After determining the centroid, incenter, and circumcenter of the triangle of sidewalks connecting the playground, bathrooms, and parking lot, suggest which of these three points would be the best place for the memorial fountain, spotlight, and canopy's center pole. In a multi-paragraph essay, report your findings for the location of the three objects, supporting their locations with the principles of geometry.
Using Math to Determine the Better Weekly Pay Rate (Informative/Explanatory)
Read the math problem.
Write an essay in which you argue whether it is better to earn a flat rate of $400 per week or to earn a rate of $9.50 per hour. Include what factors might make one option better than the other.
In a detailed essay, discuss the strategy you would use to solve the problem. A complete essay will include the steps you would perform, the order in which you would perform them, and the reason you would solve the problem using this strategy. Although a correct answer is important, it is more important that you discuss the process of solving the problem with as much detail as possible.
Using Probability to Determine Who Goes First (Informative/Explanatory)
Read the math problem.
Four friends want to play a game. In order to decide who starts first, two proposals are made.
Kristal proposes that they assign everyone a number and take turns rolling a six-sided die. The player whose number comes up would start the game, and if a 5 or 6 comes up, they roll again.
Clay proposes that they flip 3 coins. If 3 heads come up, Clark would start. If 2 heads come up, Clay would start. If 2 tails come up, Kortney would start. And if 3 tails come up, Kristal would start.
Which of the proposals gives everyone a fair chance of starting the game? Explain your reasoning.
In a detailed essay, discuss the strategy you would use to solve the problem. A complete essay will include the steps you would perform, the order in which you would perform them, and the reason you would solve the problem using this strategy. Although a correct answer is important, it is more important that you discuss the process of solving the problem with as much detail as possible.
Using Ratios to Determine the Number of Marbles in a Bag (Informative/Explanatory)
Read the math problem.
A bag contains a mix of red, yellow, and blue marbles. The ratio of blue to red marbles is 3 to 2, and the ratio of yellow to red marbles is 1 to 4. When 8 blue marbles, 8 red marbles, and 8 yellow marbles are added to the bag, the ratio of blue to red marbles becomes 4 to 3. How many yellow marbles are in the bag after the additional marbles are added? Explain the steps you took to find your answer.
In a detailed essay, discuss the strategy you would use to solve the problem. A complete essay will include the steps you would perform, the order in which you would perform them, and the reason you would solve the problem using this strategy. Although a correct answer is important, it is more important that you discuss the process of solving the problem with as much detail as possible.
Using Triangles to Find a Plane (Informative/Explanatory)
The president of the United States has asked you to assist in finding a plane that has gone down over the Indian Ocean. You have been given the task of choosing a tracking system company to find the plane. You want to locate the plane as quickly as possible.
There are four tracking system companies available for use. Each company uses satellites that will take certain measurements to create a triangle around the possible crash site.
The triangle will be formed from the following three points:
The airport from which the plane departed
The point where the plane made a counterclockwise turn
The plane's last known position
Analyze the sample data given by each company to select the one that will find the plane most efficiently. In a multi-paragraph essay, justify your selection of the company to the president. Use the results of your analysis of each company's sample data to support your justification.
Below is sample data given by each company:
Company 1:
Acute Satellite Inc. can provide the following information by using their satellites:
An airplane takes off from Kuala Lumpur going northwest at an angle of 73°. The plane turns counterclockwise 35°. The last known angle is a counterclockwise turn of 72°.
Company 2:
Right Distance Inc. can provide the following information by using their satellites:
An airplane takes off from Kuala Lumpur going north at an angle of 90°. The plane travels 1,250 km, and then turns counterclockwise 35°.
Company 3:
Butte Inc. can provide the following information by using their satellites:
An airplane takes off from Kuala Lumpur going northwest at an angle of 38°. The plane travels 2,500 km, and then turns counterclockwise and travels another 1,750 km.
Company 4:
San Antonio Straights Inc. can provide the following information by using their satellites:
An airplane takes off from Kuala Lumpur going northeast at an angle of 121°. The plane travels 2,850 km. The company can give you the distance from the plane's last known location and the airport, which is 4,050 km.
What are Tangents and Secants? (Informative/Explanatory)
What are tangents and secants in reference to a circle? What facts do we know about them?
What Does FOIL Stand For? (Informative/Explanatory)
What does FOIL stand for? Explain how you would use it on (a+b)(c-d).
What is Order of Operations? (Informative/Explanatory)
What is order of operations? How do we use it?