Icarus and Daedalus Math Puzzle: Save Icarus from Crashing!
Immerse students in a thrilling math activity based on the legendary story of Icarus and Daedalus. By following a specific number pattern, students must save Icarus from crashing into the sea. Engage them with intriguing scenarios and challenges that require critical thinking and mathematical skills.
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TEACHERS NOTES This lesson is based on an activity from MATHPICKLE.com. You can watch their video of a classroom here: https://mathpickle.com/project/daedalus-and-icarus-try-to-escape/ There s even a rumor of making this one of 15 million dollar problems ! Students find this very motivating! Here is an interesting video intro about Icarus. We usually start at the 50 second mark. You might prefer to read the story out loud, or look through numerous other videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yp_igX-sDs Stop the slide deck at Slide 5, and let students work on this . They will fill up white boards or paper for LONG periods of time! If time, end with Slide 6 (which by the way IS possible, whereas Icarus dream is NOT) If some students have time, put up Slide 7.
Icarus and Daedalus How it starts King Minos has just imprisoned Daedalus and his son Icarus in a high tower. Daedalus was implicated in the murder of the Minotaur, who happened to be King Minos son. Daedalus invents a way to escape. He and Icarus gather bee's wax and birds feathers to make wings to escape the tower.
Icarus and Daedalus A New Ending The night before the flight, Icarus has a dream: He dreams he must choose a number any number. If the number is EVEN, he must HALF it. ( 2) If the number is ODD, he must triple it and add one. (Times 3 + 1) He must continue this calculation as long as possible. If he ends up with a ONE repeating, he crashes into the sea!!! BUT! If he ends up with a repeating number that is NOT ONE, he is saved!!! 3
Icarus and Daedalus An Example NUMBER: ENDING: EVEN : 2 1. ONE = Dies ODD : x 3 + 1 NOT ONE = Survives 1. Let s try the number 44. 22 11 13 40 8 4 52 34 17 44 5 20 2 10 1 26 16 4
Icarus and Daedalus Today, you have a chance to save Icarus! Can you follow this pattern and end up with a repeating cycle that DOESN T end with ONE? NUMBER: ENDING: EVEN : 2 ONE = Dies 1. ODD : x 3 + 1 NOT ONE = Survives 1.
WANT ANOTHER CHANCE? The night before the flight, DAEDALUS has a similar dream, with one difference. For Daedalus: If the number is EVEN, he still must HALF it. ( 2) But if the number is ODD, he must triple it and SUBTRACT one. (Times 3 1) Icarus s ENDING: Daedalus NUMBER: ONE = Dies EVEN : 2 1. NOT ONE = Survives ODD : x 3 + 1 1. 6
Icarus and Daedalus Challenge Question You get another chance to save Icarus! Can you follow this pattern and end up with a repeating cycle that DOESN T end up with ONE? Let s try 7. PROCEDURE: Choose a # 7 7 squared = 49 1. Square each digit 2. Add the results 3. Repeat 49 42 + 92 = 16+81 = 97 ONE = Dies NOT ONE = Survives 97 92 + 72 = 81+49 = 130 130 12 + 32 + 0 = 1+9 = 10 10 12 + 0 = 1
