Recommended Website:
Musical Math
This site offers 35 mathematical word problems based on all things musical. The site was designed for teachers — and suggests that they post one question per week on the blackboard (for the 35-week school year). The questions require addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, metric conversion, measurement, time, and some algebra skills. The musical material covered in the questions is incredibly diverse. For example, here are a few of the word problems offered at the site:
- On a standard piano there are 52 white keys and 36 black keys. How many keys does the piano have? Answer: 88 keys
- In 1989, the largest game of musical chairs began with 8,238 Chinese students at 1:00 pm and ended at 4:30 pm. How long did it last? Answer: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Joseph Haydn, born 1732-1809, wrote a piece of music called “The Clock” symphony. There are four movements in this symphony that lasts 28 minutes and 14 seconds. Between each movement there is a 15 second pause. If the first movement lasts 7 minutes and 1 second, the second movement lasts 8 minutes and 17 seconds and the third movement lasts 8 minutes and 24 seconds, how long does the last movement or the finale last? Answer: The Finale or Vivace (fast) lasts 4 minutes and 27 seconds.
- Rebel XD of Chicago, Illinois is known as the fastest rap artist. He rapped 674 syllables in 54.9 seconds. What is the average number of syllables per second? Answer: 12.2 syllables per second
Your kids may enjoy this diversion from the standard drill and practice math word problems — and the trivia information about music may inspire them to learn more!
