Overweight, gone to pot



1. Why do you think it was estimated that the pumpkin could feed 1200 people? How might this have been worked out?

2. List all the numbers mentioned in the article.

3 . What are some of the numbers that you can make using the digits mentioned in the article? (Only use each digit once) Try to make 3 digit, 4 digit, 5 digit numbers etc. Write at least ten new numbers.

4.What do you think the total weight of the people in your class would be? (Make a guess).
How different would this figure be from the weight of the record pumpkin?

5. Find a way to measure accurately the total weight of the people in your class. What is the correct total? How far off were you?

6. How many people in your class would the weight of the record winning pumpkin be equal to?

(Written by Melissa Harris, BTeach student, University of Tasmania, 2001)

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