Lesson 2A: Counting Principles

 

In early telephone systems, connections were made in central offices by telephone operators using patch cords to connect one party to another.

As technology advanced, electro-mechanical switches were introduced and calls were made using rotary dials that recognized area codes assigned to specific geographic areas.

 

Initial use of area codes in the United States and Canada began in 1947 with large cities. By 1966, the system was implemented fully in both countries. Currently, Canada uses 30 area codes but with the need for more telephone numbers increasing rapidly since the 1990s, new area codes are added often.

The only area code in Alberta prior to 1999 was 403. As a result, the province reached a point of having insufficient phone numbers for the population. In 1999, a second area code of 780 was introduced for northern Alberta. Since then, the 403 area code is used for residents only in southern Alberta. The Area Code Map for Alberta shows the border of the two area code regions. In 2008, because of growth within the province and the popularity of cell phones, more phone numbers were needed again. The 587 area code was added and is issued currently to new phone numbers in both parts of the province. Can you determine how many new phone numbers were created in Alberta by adding the 587 area code? This question is a counting problem. In this Training Camp, you will learn how to solve this type of counting problem and answer the area code question.

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to

	represent and solve counting problems, using a graphic organizer
	solve a counting problem, using the fundamental counting principle, and explain your reasoning
	identify and explain assumptions made in solving a counting problem