Math is Real Life - August 2014 Edition

 I am happy to once again join up with the fabulous linky hosted by Miss Math Dork, 4mulafun, The Teacher Studio, and Teaching to Inspire in 5th! 

Summer is half over!! Eeeeeeeek!

Even though I will not be returning to work this September, I am already getting a little nervous about my husband going back and me being at home with the boys. I've gotten use to him being home to help out with the boys. A 1:1 ratio is a lot easier than a 1:2 ratio when it comes to adults and kids! 

The summer has been flying by as we've been keeping pretty busy - swimming lessons, the zoo, multiple trips to the park, visiting friends and family, trips to the cottage, checking out local farmers markets, hanging out at the fair, and more.

For today's post, I am going to tell you about our trip to the fair.

Nothing says summer to me, like going to the fair. When I was younger, my parents would take me and my brothers to the fair on the last day of school every year. This year, I was eager to share the experience with my sons (mostly the oldest one, the youngest one took in all the sights from the comfort of his stroller).

Now spending the day at the fair costs money! Those of you who know me, know I like to always find the cheapest scenario.

Admission - FREE

Parking - $5 (We parked down the street and walked) - FREE

Ride Tickets - A few different options - all access wristband -$25 - this is the best option if you plan on going on a lot of rides. My husband and I have both realized that we can't handle the rides like we use to, plus my son is only going to go on a few, so this option wasn't worth it for us. We opted for buying a sheet of 40 tickets - $28

Mini Donuts (cause you gotta have donuts at the fair) - $ 4

Once we purchased our tickets it was time to go on the rides. Now being a math teacher, I saw this as a teachable moment for my 3 year old. 

We have 40 tickets.

Each ride requires a certain amount of tickets.

How many rides can we go on in order to use all of our tickets?

Helicopter - 3 tickets each - went with mom - 6 tickets

Dragon Roller coaster - went by himself - 3 tickets

Ferris wheel - 4 tickets each - went with mom - 8 tickets - went again with dad - 16 tickets

Bumper cars - 4 tickets each- went with dad - 8 tickets

Lady bug cars -  went by himself - 3 tickets

Now we were left with 4 tickets, not enough for us to go on any of the rides together, and too many for any of the single rides. Sooooooooo he found the big slide

Big slide - 1 ticket each - went with dad - 2 tickets - went again - 4 tickets

The day was a success! We used all of our tickets and my son had so much fun, even while doing a little math!

Now, the only thing left to do at the fair is play some games. I could go into great detail about the probability of winning these particular games, but alas we never played any... I refuse to waste my money on those! ;)

How did you use math this summer? 

This would be a great question to ask your students on the first day back because... math doesn't take holidays! :)