Lesson Title- Put M & M/ Mars to the Test

Overview: This lesson uses the knowledge of mean, median, mode and percent in a
                     real world application.

Expected Outcome: The student will be able to find the mean, median, mode and
                    percentages of collected data and relate this information to the real world.

Background Information: The student needs to have working knowledge of mean,
                    median, and mode and experience using the graphing calculator.

Materials:  One ten-ounce bag of M & M's per student
                    Graphing calculator

Standards:
        Cooperative learning, discussion
        Real world application of concepts
        Estimating
        Percents
        Working with the graphing calculator

Engagement: Hand out bags of M & M’s and tell the student’s not to open them.
                Ask "Is the M & M’s / Mars Company really fairly accurate with their
                percentages of colors they report?"

Exploration: Students are to find the mean, median, and mode of the M & M’s for
                for the class and find the percentages of each color.

Explanation: After finding the mean, median, and mode of the number o M&M’s
                finding the percentage of colors, and a discussion of similarities and .
                differences, the students see how their results compage with that of the
                M & M’s/ Mars Company.

Extension:
            The students can make a plot and whiskers graph.
            The students can make a bar graph.
            The students can calculate the degrees of a circle for each color and make a
            circle graph.
            The student can answer probability questions from the data collected.

References: Nancy Beben

 

 
 
 
M & M Lab
1.   Estimate the number of M & M's in your package.____________
2.   Record the Number of M & M's in each person's package in the class. Compute  the mean, median and mode of this data.
    Number of M & M's in Each Person's Package
               
               
               
               
               
    Mean
    Median
    Mode
         
    2. Counts Red Green Yellow Orange Brown Blue Total
    Your

    Package

    		              
    Small group              
    Total

    class

    		              
  2. Find the percent of each color and record the percents below.
    3. Percent Red Green Yellow Orange Brown Blue Total
    Your 

    Package

    		              
    Small

    Group

    		              
    Total

    Class

    		              
     
  3. a) Using the information in #2 above, estimate the number of M & M's in a
bag that weighs 32 ounces. _________
 
 

 

 b)  If brown M & M's were your favorite, how many would you get in a bag

    that weighs 32 ounces? ____________

     

     

     c) Using the information in #4 above for the class, find the number of each color in a bag of M & M's with 32 ounces.

 
Red
Green
Yellow
Orange
Brown
Blue
Total
             
  1. Answer the following questions:
  1. How were your results similar to those of the entire class?

    2.  

     

     

     

     

  2. How were your results different from those of the entire class?

    3.  

     

     

     

     

  3. If all of the math classes conducted this activity, what results would you

    4. expect? Why?

     

     

     

     

  4. The M & M/Mars Company colors M & M's according to the following specific percents
 
Red
Green
Yellow
 Orange
Brown
Blue
Total
20%
10%
20%
10%
30%
10%
100%
 

How well do your results compare with the company's stated percent? Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson plan by Cheryl Rock