1. Complete these three requirements for Belt Loop (Year One):
   
   

   ____

   Do five activities within your home or school that require the use of mathematics. Explain to your den how you used everyday math.
   
   

   ____

   Keep track of the money you earn and spend for three weeks.
   
   

   ____

   Measure five items using both metric and nonmetric measures. Find out about the history of the metric system of measurement.

   
   
   
2. Earn the Mathematics Belt Loop and complete one from each of the five areas below for the Mathematics Pin (Year Two):
   
   
   • Geometry is related to measurement but also deals with objects and positions in space.
     
     

     ____

     Many objects can be recognized by their distinctive shapes: a tree, a piece of broccoli, a violin. CoBect 12 items that can be recognized, classified, and labeled by their distinctive shape or outline.
     
     

     ____

     Select a single shape or figure. Observe the world around you for at least a week and keep a record of where you see this shape or figure and how it is used.
     
     

     ____

     Study geometry in architecture by exploring your neighborhood or community. Look at different types of buildings-houses, churches, businesses, etc.-and create a presentation (a set of photographs, a collage of pictures from newspapers and magazines, a model) that you can share with your den or pack to show what you have seen and learned about shapes in architecture.

     
     
     
   • Calculating is adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers.
     
     

     ____

     Learn how an abacus or slide rule works and teach it to a friend or to your den or pack.
     
     

     ____

     Go shopping with an adult and use a calculator to add up how much the items you buy will cost. See whether your total equals the total at check out.
     
     

     ____

     Visit a bank and have someone there explain to you about how interest works. Use the current interest rate and calculate how much interest different sums of money will earn.

     
     
     
   • Statistics is collecting and organizing numerical information and studying patterns.
     
     

     ____

     Explain the meaning of these statistical words and tools: data, averaging, tally marks, bar graph, line graph, pie chart, and percentage.
     
     

     ____

     Conduct an opinion survey through which you collect data to answer a question, and then show your results with a chart or graph. For instance: What is the favorite food of the Cub Scouts in your pack (chart how many like pizza, how many like hamburgers, etc.).
     
     

     ____

     Study a city newspaper to find as many examples as you can of statistical information.
     
     

     ____

     Learn to use a computer spreadsheet.

     
     
     
   • Probability helps us know the chance or likelihood of something happening.
     
     

     ____

     Explain to your den how a meteorologist or insurance company (or someone else) might use the mathematics of probability to predict what might happen in the future (i.e., the chance that it might rain, or the chance that someone might be in a car accident).
     
     

     ____

     Conduct and keep a record of a coin toss probability experiment.
     
     

     ____

     Guess the probability of your sneaker landing on its bottom, top, or side, and then flip it 100 times to find out which way it lands. Use this probability to predict how a friend's sneaker will land.

     
     
     
   • Measuring is using a unit to express how long or how big something is, or how much of it there is.
     
     

     ____

     Interview four adults in different occupations to see how they use measurement in their jobs.
     
     

     ____

     Measure how tall someone is. Have them measure you.
     
     

     ____

     Measure how you use your time by keeping a diary or log of what you do for a week. Then make a chart or graph to display how you spend your time.
     
     

     ____

     Measure, mix, and cook at least two recipes. Share your snacks with family, friends, or your Den/Patrol.

   
   
   
3. Earn the Mathematics Belt Loop and Mathematics Pin and complete five of the remaining requirements above to earn the Mathematics Letter (Year Three).

To help with Den/Patrol organization: Print out this page, check off requirement as completed, and turn in to Leader when all requirements for Belt Loop, Pin, or Letter are completed.

• Mathematics with Alice - Takes you on a course through Mathematics with the help of Alice, the girl in Lewis Carroll's stories. Includes a biography of Carroll as well as math tips and problems.
  
  
• Fun With Numbers - Various number resources to aid in your enjoyment of intergers and real numbers alike.
  
  
• Roman Numerals 101 - Learn how the Romans used seven letters to express all their numbers.
  
  
• A+ Math - Build your basic math skills with games, flashcards, and homework help.
  
  
• Ask Dr. Math - Math questions answered!
  
  
• Flash - Test your knowledge of math with this cool game from Megakids. Chose addition, subtraction, division, or multiplication and find out how fast you can solve the tables!
  
  
• Flashcards for Kids - Create your own flashcards for addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problems. You choose the difficulty and the size of the numbers, and the site does the rest!
  
  
• Math Forum - Math news, notes, links and more. Check out the problems of the week!
  
  
• Baseball.... and Math - This ThinkQuest site lets you see the more mathematical side of baseball. It has cool problems to solve, bloopers, and even clips of music to make you feel like you're at the ballpark!
  
  
• Math League Help Topics - This is a help resource for 4th through 8th graders. You'll find help with whole numbers, decimals, integers, and probability, plus an introduction to algebra.