Family Mathematics Problem Solving
Sponsored by
The Somerville Mathematics Fund

The Family Mathematics problems are written for adults and children to work on together. They are not meant as another homework to be turned in to your child’s teacher, instead it is an opportunity for you to work together to solve a mathematical problem. This Month’s Family Mathematics Problem is in the spirit of extravagant seasonal spending. We hope you will enjoy working together to solve these problems.

The Somerville Mathematics Fund was founded in 2000 to celebrate and encourage mathematics achievement in the city of Somerville. We offer scholarships to students and grants to teachers.
For more information, call 617-666-0666 (evenings)
or e-mail voolich@aol.com

From October 2003
 Solutions
  


Family Mathematics Problem Solving: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Meandering Towards Metrics

Gabriel Mouton proposed adopting a metric system in 1670.

 

King Louis XVI met with mathematicians in 1791.

 

The metric system was adopted initially by France in 1799.

 

The US congress approved the use but did not mandate the use of the metric
system in 1866

 

The US decided to convert to the metric system in 1975.

 

The US was to have converted to the metric system by 1992.

 
NASA made a $125 million mistake because not everyone was using the same
system of measurement in 1999.