Metric System: Magic Number Lab

This activity provides students with a first-hand opportunity to experience one of the benefits of the metric system.

Materials:
Stop watch
Pencil

Procedure:
Have your partner time how long it takes you to do all four problems in one column.
Time your partner doing the same four problems.
Complete the remaining columns in the same way.
Come to the front table and check each other’s papers after you’ve both finished all four columns.

The Problems:
Column 1: 13x5
462x5
87x5
78,956x5

Column 2: 13x12
462x12
87x12
78,956x12

Column 3:
13x100
462x100
87x100
78,956x100

Column 4: 13x10
462x10
87x10
78,956x10

For each column, record the time (in seconds) it took to complete the column and the number of problems you solved incorrectly.

Discussion questions:
Which number could you multiply by the fastest?
With which number did you make the fewest mistakes?
Explain what this activity had to do with the metric system.