How many Representatives will your state get in 2011?

The 2010 U. S. Census is almost complete. One of the most important reasons for the decennial census is to determine the number of Representatives that each state should be assigned for proper representation in our House of Representatives. In this exploration students examine the intent and wording of the U. S. Constitution as they learn how Representative apportionment is done.

• They see the Priority formula An= P/√n*(n+1) and practice using it to determine which state should get the next Congressional seat.
• Students learn what the ratio of voters to Representatives was originally intended to be and they calculate what that ratio has become.

This lesson goes well with U.S. history courses and will be in the news daily as the end of the year approaches. It is a topic that we all should understand.