DescriptionIn the final clip the students generalize the exponential structure of the Pizza Problem and describe the relationship between two consecutive rows of Pascal’s Triangle with reference both to the Pizza problem and to building Unifix towers when selecting from two colors. In summarizing their ideas to one of the researchers, Ms Kiczek, the students generalize the exponential structure of the problem for n toppings. As they explain their solutions to Dr. Maher, another researcher, Shelly explains how the addition rule between consecutive rows of the Triangle applies to Pizza toppings, selecting from different numbers of toppings. Stephanie points out that there is a parallel structure when building Unifix towers of different heights, selecting from two colors. Robert and Amy-Lynn also contribute ideas that explain how the choices for pizzas selecting from n toppings relate to constructing towers n tall selecting from two colors. PROBLEM STATEMENT: "A local pizza shop has asked us to help design a form to keep track of certain pizza choices. They offer a plain pizza that is cheese and tomato sauce. A customer can then select from the following toppings: pepper, sausage, mushrooms, and pepperoni. How many different choices for pizza does a customer have? List all the choices. Find a way to convince each other that you have accounted for all possible choices. Suppose a fifth topping, anchovies, were available. How many different choices for pizza does a customer now have? Why?"
RightsThe video is protected by copyright. It is available for reviewing and use within the Video Mosaic Collaborative (VMC) portal. Please contact the Robert B. Davis Institute for Learning (RBDIL) for further information about the use of this video.
Date Captured1999-03-01
Local IdentifierA21A22-CMB-PIZZA-CLIP006
Source Title: A21, Pizza problems with four and five toppings (student view), grade 11, March 1, 1999, raw footage Identifier: A21-19990301-KNWH-SV-CLASS-GR11-CMB-PIZZA-RAW
Source Title: A22, Pizza problems with four and five toppings (work view), grade 11, March 1, 1999, raw footage Identifier: A22-19990301-KNWH-WV-CLASS-GR11-CMB-PIZZA-RAW
