The Philippines has just set a Guinness World Record for the largest claw machine ever! This huge arcade attraction became a hot topic, drawing crowds and attention as people tried their luck grabbing giant prizes. Today, we’ll use this trending news to inspire some quick math challenges at the start of class!
If the claw machine can fit 1,200 giant plush toys and it takes 10 minutes to refill 150 toys, how many toys can be refilled per minute? Show your steps.
Suppose you play the claw machine x times, paying $2.50 each time. If you spend a total of $30, how many times did you play? Write an equation and solve for x.
The probability of winning a prize from the giant claw machine is 1 out of 10 for each try. If someone plays 60 times, how many prizes can they expect to win? Explain your reasoning.
In July 2025, a Canadian cyclist set a Guinness World Record for distance on a penny-farthing bicycle, one of those old-timey bikes with a huge front wheel. The record attempt took place in Canada and drew plenty of attention as the cyclist pedaled for hours to make history!
Problem: The cyclist biked a total of 120 kilometers for the record. If they biked at a constant speed and finished in 8 hours, what was their average speed in kilometers per hour?
Show your work.
Problem: Let f(x) represent the distance the cyclist traveled after x hours. If their average speed was 15 km/h, write an equation for f(x), then use it to find the distance after 5 hours.
Problem: The old-fashioned penny-farthing bikes were popular in the 1870s. Express the number 1870 in scientific notation. Then, compare it to 2025 in scientific notation. Which number is greater?
This week, a tortoise named Shelley made headlines after surviving two weeks behind a freezer in an ice cream shop! Shelley’s adventure in the chilly spot surprised everyone when she was found safe and sound. Let’s shell-ebrate Shelley’s strength with some math warm-ups to kick off your day!
Shelley's ice cream adventure lasted 14 days. If the freezer temperature was 16 degrees below zero and rose by 2 degrees per day since Shelley got stuck, on which day did it finally reach 0 degrees Celsius?
The ice cream shop sells about 50,000 scoops of ice cream each year. Write this number in scientific notation.
Which of the following numbers are irrational? Select all that apply:
- 3.75
- √2
- 9/5
- π
The world's biggest claw machine was just unveiled in the Philippines, attracting gaming fans and tourists to try their luck. On July 22, 2025, this giant arcade marvel made Guinness World Records, turning a simple game into a huge spectacle for all ages at a popular shopping center.
What does the word "marvel" most likely mean as used in the intro?
a) A mistake
b) Something amazing
c) A mystery
d) An ordinary object
In 2-3 sentences, summarize what happened in the Philippines with the giant claw machine. Focus on the who, what, and why it was important.
Based on the intro above, why do you think the claw machine event became so popular? Write one sentence using specific details from the passage to support your answer.
Imagine you are one of the engineers who helped create the giant claw machine. List two observations you could make about how the machine operates or what makes it different from a regular claw machine. Be specific.
The claw machine lifts and drops prizes using motors and pulleys. In one or two sentences, explain how the force of the claw closing and the motion of lifting a prize are examples of forces and motion at work.
If you want the claw to pick up heavier prizes, it needs to be stronger. Write a question you could investigate about how the mass or density of a prize might affect the claw's ability to grab it. Then, suggest one way to test your question safely.