Description/Aim

This activity aims to introduce the idea of 'Sets' in a human geography context. Students are asked to review data from the CIA World Factbook and use it to define sets of countires and then list the elements of those sets. Students then combine these sets in the form of a Venn diagram that begins to illustrate some concentration of of social issues. This illustrates both a practical use for Venn diagrams while the context adds meaning to the concept.
Please find a digital worksheet and weblinks below

Time - 1hr Age 14+

Why we like this activity ….

This is an opportunity to show a 'Human Element' to mathematics. The context brings a level of
meaning to the concept as it is seen for the first time that carries its value to a more abstract context.
The discussion about what is 'Low' and what is 'High' is a fascinating one and usually comes down to a
mathematical defintion. 'Mathematics as a powerful tool for understanding the world'

How this activity be used ….

Groups of three or four are good for this one. This promotes the discussion - particularly when sets are
being defined.

What to expect when using this activity – from our experience

Good discussion and lots of good questions. Students do need help to construct the diagram in the first
instance so that it allows room for the elements to be written in. For example, there may be more
elements in the intersections than not and as such the diagrams should be drawn carefully to allow for
this.

Extra Notes

Try this with 'Sets of Quadrilaterals' for a different context