Nuts for Organization

Fox squirrels roam the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. They climb trees, hop across the grass, and bury nuts to eat later. Scientist Mikel Delgado knows this because she has kept track of where the animals went!

Delgado studies how animals behave and process information. When she was a graduate student at the university, she wanted to know whether squirrels bury their nuts with any intention or pattern.

Fox squirrels roam the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. They climb trees. They hop across the grass. They bury nuts to eat later. Scientist Mikel Delgado knows the squirrels’ habits. That’s because she kept track of them!

Delgado studies how animals think and behave. As a student at the university, she became curious about the squirrels. She wanted to know whether they buried their nuts in any particular pattern.

To find out, Delgado conducted an experiment along with other students. The team labeled almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts. Then they gave each type of nut to 45 squirrels. They tracked each squirrel using GPS tags. When a squirrel buried the nuts for a future snack, the scientists noted the location. Last, they mapped the results.

The group found that squirrels bury nuts in different places depending on their type and size. Delgado thinks this might help the squirrels remember where the nuts are so they can find their snacks later.

To find out, Delgado conducted an experiment. Other students helped her. The team labeled almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts. Then they gave 45 squirrels each type of nut. They tracked each squirrel using GPS tags. The scientists watched as the squirrels stopped to bury nuts. They noted the locations. Finally, they mapped the results.

The group found that squirrels bury different nuts in different places. The spot depends on the type and size of nut. Delgado thinks this might help the squirrels remember where the nuts are. That way they can find their snacks later.

Use arrays and equations to solve the following problems on a separate sheet of paper.

Use arrays and equations to solve the following problems on a separate sheet of paper.

Scientists gave nuts to 8 male squirrels one day and 8 female squirrels another day. Draw an array to show the total number of squirrels.

Scientists gave nuts to 8 male squirrels one day and 8 female squirrels another day. Draw an array to show the total number of squirrels.

Use your array to write an equation.

Use your array to write an equation.

All squirrels received 4 nuts of each type. One squirrel buried only the almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans. Draw an array to show the total number of nuts it buried.

All squirrels received 4 nuts of each type. One squirrel buried only the almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans. Draw an array to show the total number of nuts it buried.

Use your array to write an equation.

Use your array to write an equation.

In total, the scientists worked with 24 female squirrels. Draw 3 different arrays to represent a product of 24.

In total, the scientists worked with 24 female squirrels. Draw 3 different arrays to represent a product of 24.

Write an equation for each of your arrays.

Write an equation for each of your arrays.

One squirrel took part in the experiment twice. Each time, the animal received 16 nuts. How many total nuts did the animal get over the course of both experiments?

One squirrel took part in the experiment twice. Each time, the animal received 16 nuts. How many total nuts did the animal get over the course of both experiments?

Ten female squirrels and 18 male squirrels stashed nuts in multiple locations. A student says you can make 2 different arrays to show this total number of female and male squirrels. Correct the mistake and explain why the student is incorrect.

Ten female squirrels and 18 male squirrels stashed nuts in multiple locations. A student says you can make 2 different arrays to show this total number of female and male squirrels. Correct the mistake and explain why the student is incorrect.