Relishing Math at the Thanksgiving Feast

We’re delighted to introduce Math Moments™, a fun new element of our magazine. The column’s creator, David Schwartz, spends much of his time finding unusual, whimsical ways to make math and science come alive for kids and teachers, both through writing and through speaking at schools and conferences. He has written nearly 50 books for kids, including How Much Is a Million? and the “Look Once, Look Again” series.

Here, and in coming months, David will be highlighting the simple “math moments” families can discover and explore in everyday life.

Twelve-year-old Ziva Sholin looks at the cookbook, then at the cranberries on the counter, then at her mother. Mom isn’t helping. Ziva doesn’t know what to do about the cranberries. The relish recipe calls for two cups, but it’s a recipe for eight, and 12 will be at the family’s Thanksgiving gathering.

Last night, Ziva helped cook the sweet potatoes. It was a recipe for six, so doubling it made enough for 12. Simple! But what should she do now? How many cups of cranberries does she need?

“Suppose you had four people coming and the recipe was for eight,” says her mother, Susan. “What would you do?”

“Invite more people!” answers Ziva brightly.

Susan laughs, but repeats the question seriously.

“Make half the recipe,” Ziva replies.

“OK, good. So, if you make half a recipe for four people, and a full recipe for eight, what would you do for 12?” Susan asks, miming with her hands the addition of a full quantity and a half quantity.