Archives: Road Trip
Links and Resources
Math Gym 2012-13
1. Next time you're at the library, check out the "I Hate Mathematics Book", by Marilyn Burns. No matter what you thought when you started, you'll want to rename the book before you're through!
2. Play games on a torus! Start on the main page to figure out what a torus is and how how the surface works. Then try the maze. When you manage that, challenge yourself with torus tic tac toe. Ready to try playing games on even more mind-boggling surfaces? Go back to the main page and try the games on a Klein Bottle!
4. Count the cubes. Sound easy? You’re being timed, and the pictures are 3-d. Better use some math and have a good sense of perspective.
5. Try some fun estimating games. Try several of the different options, ranging from estimating the number of objects to estimating other things like length, area, and the size of angles.
6. Next time you're at the library, look for The Number Devil, by Hans Magnus Enzensberger. In accessible terms and in the context of a fictional story, it explains a wide range of math topics including prime numbers, triangular numbers, Fibbonaci numbers, Pascal's triangle, permutations, and more.
7. Try this excellent collection of archived “problems of the week,” adaptable for different difficulty levels.
8. Find a path through the maze following the number rules.
Math Gym 2011-12
1. Math is often described as the study of patterns. Check out these cool videos of the mathematical patterns that emerge through doodle games.
2. Did you know that fractions are important in composing music? Here’s a fun site to help you become a fractions expert while creating and listening to cool beats.
3. How fast can you do mental arithmetic? Watch this video and find out how fast it’s possible to be!
4. Symmetry art Experiment with different types of symmetry and see what happens to your drawing. Want a better understanding of the different types of symmetry? Click the “Here’s More” section at the bottom of the screen.
5. Explore tessellations with several cool sites. Try this one for lots of background, explanation, and examples; this youtube video of tessellations created by kids; and this one to experiment with some tessellations of your own.
7. Scratch is an easy-to-learn computer programming language. Hone your logic skills while being creative and having fun! Create your own projects and explore those submitted by others. (Clarke School has a Scratch Club for those who get hooked!)
8. Timez Attack provides a single-digit multiplication practice with a can't-put-it-down video-game feel. (There is a premium version with more graphics levels and some special features, but the free version is very good, too.)
11. What’s math good for in the real world? Learn about some cool careers that use math and try some activities relating to those careers.
12. Watch Abbott and Costello mess up math problems with style here and here. Where are they going wrong?
13. Can you solve the ancient Tower of Hanoi puzzle?
15. A story with a math twist. Can you figure out what’s really happening before the end of the story?
20. Try this large collection of games, puzzles, art, brainteasers, and more.