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Welcome to the fun page of weird mathematics that will blow your mind! Ever think that there was anything you didn't know about math? Well, here are some strange facts, trivia, and tricks to look at! And look! Mr. Math Dude is here to help you too! Boggle the minds of your friends and family!

Click here to find out the bizzare facts!

Math trivia to stimulate your brain cells!

Fun math thricks to learn about!

Some links that are pretty fun to check out!

Email me to say hi or ask a questions! =)

Weird Facts           

* Fact #1: Where do math words come from?
Ever wonder where our math words come from? Or how they were named/created? This list  is pretty interesting to read so check it out!

    1) Why we use the letter "m" to denote the slope of a line
        m is for the french verb "monter" which means to mount, to climb, or to rise

    2) Fraction
        From the Latin "fractus" meaning, literally, "broken"                                                                                                                               

* Fact #2: There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.
* Fact #3: Birthday problem fact (click here to find out exactly how this is calculated)
    1) Can this really be true? Yes it is! How many people do you need in a group to ensure at least a 50 percent probability that 2 people in the group share a birthday? How many people do you need in order for this to be a fact? Surprisingly, the answer is only 23 people to have at least a 50 percent chance of a match. This goes up to 70 percent for 30 people, 90 percent for 41 people, 95 percent for 47 people. With 57 people there is better than a 99 percent chance of a             birthday match! (taken from Mud Math Fun Facts)

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Weird Trivia                    
 
1) How can you measure 1 gallon of juice out of a barrel, if all you have available is a 3-gallon and a 5-gallon pitcher?

    Answer

2) Take the number of your fingers multiplied by the number of you toes divided by one half and add it to the number of months in a year. What is the total?

    Answer

3) A mother and father have six sons and each son has one sister. How many people are in that family?

    Answer

4)  There are 100 golfers in the local match play contest. If a player loses a match, he is immediately eliminated from the contest. How many matches will be played to determine the winner?

    Answer

** If you love these trivia questions, check out more math puzzles or any other types of puzzles at "Just Riddles...and More!"
** You can also check out my other trivia page I made at "How Math-Smart Are You?" Definitely lots of fun! Enjoy!

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Weird Tricks               
 

* Trick #1: Multiplying by 9
To multiply by nine on your fingers, hold up ten fingers - if the problem is 9 x 8 you just put down your 8 finger and there's your answer: 72. (If the problem is 9 x 7 just put down your 7 finger: 63.) When you are multiplying by 9, on your fingers (starting with your thumb) count the number you are multiplying by and hold down that finger. The number of fingers before the finger held down is the first digit of the answer and the number of finger after the finger held down is the second digit of the answer.

* Trick #2: Learning the Quadratic Formula
To teach students to remember the quadratic formula, teach them to sing it to the tune of "PoP! Goes the Weasel"
"X equals a negative b
Plus or Minus the square root,
Of b squared minus four a c
All over 2 a"

* Trick #3: A Math Trick Using Your Age

1. Pick a number, any number
2. Multiply this number by 2
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1753. If you haven't, add 1752. (each year these numbers increase by 1. In 2004, you'd add 1754 if you already had your bithday and 1753 if you haven't)
   
6. Subtract the 4 digit year that you were born.

* Trick #3: The Secret of 73

1. For this trick, secretly write 73 on a piece of paper, fold it up, and give to an unsuspecting friend.
2. Now have your friend select a four-digit number and enter it twice into a calculator. (For example: 12341234)
3. Announce that the number is divisible by 137 and have him verify it on his calculator.
4. Next, announce that he can now divide by his original four-digit number. After he has done so, dramatically command him to look at your prediction on the paper. It will match his calculator display: 73!

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Useful Links                   

Lesson Plan: Order of Operations
Here is a great lesson plan that I created to teach Order of Operations! Also, you can go directly to my Order of Operations Page in order to see a more simplified lesson for students. At this page, you can also try you skills at some practice problems.

Games, Games, Games!
Everyone loves games right? Here, I've listed a couple of math games that are really fun! =)
    * Math Baseball
        Batter up players! Here, you can use the game of baseball to sharpen you skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Just follow the directions and see you player run those bases!
    * Math Car Racing
         Drivers, start your engines! Another fun math game that you can play  and try to out drive the other racer!
    *  Guess the Number
          Are you good at guessing? Play this mind game and see how many you can get right! Check it out!

  Hey there! Remember me, from the top of the page? It's Math Dude!! These are all great math games and you can find more of these games at Fun Brain, part of the Family Education Network!  Other game can also be found at Primary Games! Have fun playing and learning!