Math+Matters!

=Nov. 18 - Patterning/Problem Solving Focus=

=   = =Fermi Problems: What are they???=

A Fermi Problem is a problem that has no right answer, but can be answered nonetheless! For example, a famous Fermi Problem is: How many piano tuners are there in New York City? Although we can never for certain know the answer, the goal is to find an answer that is reasonable based on a variety of factors to be taken into account. Estimation is a big part of a Fermi Problem. Such a problem requires a lot of creative thought, and often knowledge from a variety of disciplines.

=Why Are They Called Fermi Problems?= According to a website at Hampton University [|(check it out here)], Fermi problems are named after Enrico Fermi, an Italian physicist.

=Examples of Fermi Problems=
 * 1) Estimate the total number of hairs on your head.
 * 2) Estimate the number of square inches of pizza consumed by all the students at Highland Heights during one year
 * 3) Estimate the total number of sheets of 8.5 x 11 inch paper used by all the students in Peterborough highschools in one semester.