Math is Figure-Out-Able!
Math teacher educator Pam Harris and her cohost Kim Montague answer the question: If not algorithms, then what? Join them for ~15-30 minutes every Tuesday as they cast their vision for mathematics education and give actionable items to help teachers teach math that is Figure-Out-Able. See www.MathisFigureOutAble.com for more great resources!
Math is Figure-Out-Able!
#MathStratChat - September 24, 2025
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In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 24, 2025.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
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Pam 0:00
Hey, fellow mathers! Welcome to the podcast where Math is Figure-Out-Able. I'm Pam Harris.
Kim 0:07
And I'm Kim Montague.
Pam 0:08
And this is a MathStratChat episode where we chat about our math strategies. Every Wednesday evening, I throw out a math problem on social media, and people from around the world chat about the strategies they use, and comment on each other's thinking.
Kim 0:19
Okay, so this Wednesday, our math problem was 12% of 48 or 50% of 12. Which is larger? How would you solve this problem? Pause the podcast. Solve it however you'd like. The problem is which is larger? 12% of 48 or 50% of
Kim 0:34
12?
Pam 0:35
Okay, I'm going to go first.
Kim 0:37
Okay.
Pam 0:37
So, I'm going to find 50% of 12. That's easy. That's 6. Half of 12 is 6. Now, I got to find 12% of 48. 10% of 48
Pam 0:48
is 4.8. And 1% of 48 is... Sorry, my alarm just went off, so I had to like to shut it off. Is 2.4 Yes. So, 2% is double that. Which is 4.8. Whoa, what have I done wrong here? Sorry, 1% is not 2.4. It's... Where am I? 1% is point... Good heavens. 10% of 48 is 4.8.
Kim 1:16
Okay.
Pam 1:17
1% is 0.48.
Kim 1:20
Okay.
Pam 1:20
2% is point, double that, 0.96. So, now I've got to add the 4.8 and the 0.96. Play a little I Have, You Need. And that would be 5 point... I think I can do this. 76.
Kim 1:36
Mmhm.
Pam 1:36
Is that right?
Kim 1:37
Yep.
Pam 1:38
Okay. So, 50% of 12 is larger. That was a lot of work.
Kim 1:46
Okay, how about this? I have 12% of 48. But because it's equivalent to 48% of 12, I'm going to think about 48% of 12 and compare that to 50% of 12. Oh! So, I know 50% of
Kim 2:07
12 is larger.
Pam 2:07
Well, that's kind
Pam 2:08
of nice.
Kim 2:10
Mmhm. I like it.
Pam 2:12
That's cool. Alright, ya'll, we can't wait to see what you do each week. Join us on MathStratChat and let us know how you think about the problems and comment on each other's strategies.
Kim 2:20
Okay, so
Kim 2:20
Pam post the problems on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Central. When you answer, tag her and use the hashtag MathStratChat.
Pam 2:28
Then join us here to hear how we're thinking about the problem. We love having you as part of the Math is Figure-Out-Able movement. Math is Figure-Out-Able!