Maths is Life - Investigations in Mathematics
Maths is all around us every day. It is hidden in the shape and patterns of nature, in the beauty of art, in design, in architecture, in technology.
Mathematics is the language of science, it can help us to better understand the world in which we live. Open your eyes to the beauty of mathematics and you will start to see it everywhere.
Can you find the mathematics hidden in each of these images?
What would you like to know more about? What ideas does this video inspire? What projects could we explore in class?
Ask questions or offer suggestions via the 'Share' page and lets have some fun using maths to discover our world.
Mathematics is the language of science, it can help us to better understand the world in which we live. Open your eyes to the beauty of mathematics and you will start to see it everywhere.
Can you find the mathematics hidden in each of these images?
What would you like to know more about? What ideas does this video inspire? What projects could we explore in class?
Ask questions or offer suggestions via the 'Share' page and lets have some fun using maths to discover our world.
Micro Maths Investigation 1 - Games of Logic
Keen to join a SPARK micro-maths investigations, but not sure where to start? Do you like games?
In this SPARK project we will be exploring the maths hidden in everyday games of logic. The aim will be to develop a group culture of sportsmanship and playful engagement, while building our logic skills and having a little fun along the way.
Some of the games we'll investigate include:
Noughts and Crosses
As we explore, we will ask:
Can we develop a winning strategy? What would happen if we changed the rules? What if the person who formed a row of three was the loser? What if the grid was made up of 4 rows of 4? Does it matter who goes first? What would happen if you could place two pieces on any given turn?
Dots and Boxes
Can you determine a winning strategy? Which grid sizes are best? Does it make a difference if your playing grid is square or rectangular? Can carefully considered sacrifices (giving away a square on purpose) be part of a winning strategy?
Connect Four
Where should you place your first piece to get off to the best start? How could we record our games to look for winning strategies? Do winning games have anything in common? What are the best techniques for forming two-way traps?
In this SPARK project we will be exploring the maths hidden in everyday games of logic. The aim will be to develop a group culture of sportsmanship and playful engagement, while building our logic skills and having a little fun along the way.
Some of the games we'll investigate include:
Noughts and Crosses
As we explore, we will ask:
Can we develop a winning strategy? What would happen if we changed the rules? What if the person who formed a row of three was the loser? What if the grid was made up of 4 rows of 4? Does it matter who goes first? What would happen if you could place two pieces on any given turn?
Dots and Boxes
Can you determine a winning strategy? Which grid sizes are best? Does it make a difference if your playing grid is square or rectangular? Can carefully considered sacrifices (giving away a square on purpose) be part of a winning strategy?
Connect Four
Where should you place your first piece to get off to the best start? How could we record our games to look for winning strategies? Do winning games have anything in common? What are the best techniques for forming two-way traps?
Interested? Speak to your teacher about joining a future SPARK project all about mathematical investigations like this one. Or, add a related idea to your class Wonder Wall to share your curiosity with others.
Keen to try an investigation of your own at home too? The 'What Mathematicians Do' model might prove useful in your planning. Good luck!
Keen to try an investigation of your own at home too? The 'What Mathematicians Do' model might prove useful in your planning. Good luck!
