Figure It Out, Geometry: Answers and Teachers Notes
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Extremal Problems for Convex Polygons ∗
Extremal Problems for Convex Polygons ∗ Charles Audet Ecole´ Polytechnique de Montreal´ Pierre Hansen HEC Montreal´ Fred´ eric´ Messine ENSEEIHT-IRIT Abstract. Consider a convex polygon Vn with n sides, perimeter Pn, diameter Dn, area An, sum of distances between vertices Sn and width Wn. Minimizing or maximizing any of these quantities while fixing another defines ten pairs of extremal polygon problems (one of which usually has a trivial solution or no solution at all). We survey research on these problems, which uses geometrical reasoning increasingly complemented by global optimization meth- ods. Numerous open problems are mentioned, as well as series of test problems for global optimization and nonlinear programming codes. Keywords: polygon, perimeter, diameter, area, sum of distances, width, isoperimeter problem, isodiametric problem. 1. Introduction Plane geometry is replete with extremal problems, many of which are de- scribed in the book of Croft, Falconer and Guy [12] on Unsolved problems in geometry. Traditionally, such problems have been solved, some since the Greeks, by geometrical reasoning. In the last four decades, this approach has been increasingly complemented by global optimization methods. This allowed solution of larger instances than could be solved by any one of these two approaches alone. Probably the best known type of such problems are circle packing ones: given a geometrical form such as a unit square, a unit-side triangle or a unit- diameter circle, find the maximum radius and configuration of n circles which can be packed in its interior (see [46] for a recent survey and the site [44] for a census of exact and approximate results with up to 300 circles). -
Ethnomathematics and Education in Africa
Copyright ©2014 by Paulus Gerdes www.lulu.com http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/pgerdes 2 Paulus Gerdes Second edition: ISTEG Belo Horizonte Boane Mozambique 2014 3 First Edition (January 1995): Institutionen för Internationell Pedagogik (Institute of International Education) Stockholms Universitet (University of Stockholm) Report 97 Second Edition (January 2014): Instituto Superior de Tecnologias e Gestão (ISTEG) (Higher Institute for Technology and Management) Av. de Namaacha 188, Belo Horizonte, Boane, Mozambique Distributed by: www.lulu.com http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/pgerdes Author: Paulus Gerdes African Academy of Sciences & ISTEG, Mozambique C.P. 915, Maputo, Mozambique ([email protected]) Photograph on the front cover: Detail of a Tonga basket acquired, in January 2014, by the author in Inhambane, Mozambique 4 CONTENTS page Preface (2014) 11 Chapter 1: Introduction 13 Chapter 2: Ethnomathematical research: preparing a 19 response to a major challenge to mathematics education in Africa Societal and educational background 19 A major challenge to mathematics education 21 Ethnomathematics Research Project in Mozambique 23 Chapter 3: On the concept of ethnomathematics 29 Ethnographers on ethnoscience 29 Genesis of the concept of ethnomathematics among 31 mathematicians and mathematics teachers Concept, accent or movement? 34 Bibliography 39 Chapter 4: How to recognize hidden geometrical thinking: 45 a contribution to the development of an anthropology of mathematics Confrontation 45 Introduction 46 First example 47 Second example -
Allowing Coverage Holes of Bounded Diameter in Wireless Sensor
1 Trap Coverage: Allowing Coverage Holes of Bounded Diameter in Wireless Sensor Networks Paul Balister x Zizhan Zhengy Santosh Kumarx Prasun Sinhay x University of Memphis y The Ohio State University fpbalistr,[email protected] fzhengz,[email protected] Abstract—Tracking of movements such as that of people, or blanket coverage [19]), as has been the case in prototype animals, vehicles, or of phenomena such as fire, can be achieved deployments [14], [17], [22]. The requirement of full coverage by deploying a wireless sensor network. So far only prototype will soon become a bottleneck as we begin to see real-life systems have been deployed and hence the issue of scale has not become critical. Real-life deployments, however, will be at large deployments. scale and achieving this scale will become prohibitively expensive In this paper, we therefore propose a new model of coverage, if we require every point in the region to be covered (i.e., full called Trap Coverage, that scales well with large deployment coverage), as has been the case in prototype deployments. regions. We define a Coverage Hole in a target region of In this paper we therefore propose a new model of coverage, deployment A to be a connected component1 of the set of called Trap Coverage, that scales well with large deployment regions. A sensor network providing Trap Coverage guarantees uncovered points of A. A sensor network is said to provide that any moving object or phenomena can move at most a Trap Coverage with diameter d to A if the diameter of any (known) displacement before it is guaranteed to be detected by Coverage Hole in A is at most d. -
Art Problem Solving
the ART of PROBLEM SOLVING Volume 1: the BASICS Sandor Lehoczky Richard Rusczyk Copyright © 1993,1995, 2003,2004, 2006 Sandor Lehoczky and Richard Rusczyk. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this book without expressed permission of the authors is strictly forbid den. For use outside the classroom of the problems contained herein, permission must be acquired from the cited sources. ISBN-10: 0-9773045-6-6 ISBN-13: 978-0-9773045-6-1 Published by: AoPS Incorporated P.O. Box 2185 Alpine, CA 91903-2185 (619) 659-1612 [email protected] Visit the Art of Problem Solving website at http: //www. artofproblemsolving. com Printed in the United States of America. Seventh Edition; printed in 2006. Editor: David Patrick Cover image designed by Vanessa Rusczyk using KaleidoTile software. Cover Image: "Grand Canyon from South Rim" by Ansel Adams. No permissions required; National Archive photo 79-AAF-8. This book was produced using the KTgX document processing system. Diagrams created by Maria Monks using METRPOST. To Ameyalli, for laughter as clear as your lake, for spirit strong and serene as your skyline, for all that you have taught and learned in four winters. And to Mrs. Wendt, who is still by far the best teacher I ever had. —SL For my desert flower Vanessa. Told you we'd make it there eventually. —RR Special thanks to the following people who helped make this possible: William and Claire Devlin, Sandor L. and Julieanne G. Lehoczky, Steve and Ann Rubio, Richard and Claire Rusczyk, Stanley Rusczyk. Thanks A large number of individuals and organizations have helped make the ART of PROBLEM SOLVING possible. -
Pictures with Pattern Blocks
A STEM in the Parkk TTaakkee HHoommee AAccttiivviittyy Pictures with Pattern Blocks What You Need: • Colored Pencils, Crayons, or Markers (Blue, Yellow, Red, Green, Orange) • Scissors • Sandwich Baggie • Internet & Printer Set up: • Go online to http://www.themailbox.com/magazines/editorial/pattern- blocks and print out the free Pattern Block pieces template. You may want to print out a couple copies in order to make sure that you have enough pieces. • Cut out all of the different Pattern Blocks. Get your sandwich baggie ready for storage when you are all done playing. • Color each of the Pattern Block pieces. The hexagon is yellow, the trapezoid is red, the rhombus is blue, the square is orange, the triangle is green, and the diamond may be kept white. • You have now made your own set of Pattern Blocks! Continued on back How to Play: • On the back of this card, there are some sample pictures that you can make with your own set of Pattern Blocks. • Look online for more fun pictures, or come up with your own creation Discussion: • How do my Pattern Block pieces differ in size and shape? • Are there any shapes that seem to have equal side lengths? • Can some pattern blocks be put together in such a way that it makes another pattern block? How? skateboarder flower scarecrow bird motorcycle helicopter This activity is brought to you by the Bowling Green Council of Teachers of Mathematics (BGCTM). -
Largest Small N-Polygons: Numerical Results and Conjectured Optima
Largest Small n-Polygons: Numerical Results and Conjectured Optima János D. Pintér Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA [email protected] Abstract LSP(n), the largest small polygon with n vertices, is defined as the polygon of unit diameter that has maximal area A(n). Finding the configuration LSP(n) and the corresponding A(n) for even values n 6 is a long-standing challenge that leads to an interesting class of nonlinear optimization problems. We present numerical solution estimates for all even values 6 n 80, using the AMPL model development environment with the LGO nonlinear solver engine option. Our results compare favorably to the results obtained by other researchers who solved the problem using exact approaches (for 6 n 16), or general purpose numerical optimization software (for selected values from the range 6 n 100) using various local nonlinear solvers. Based on the results obtained, we also provide a regression model based estimate of the optimal area sequence {A(n)} for n 6. Key words Largest Small Polygons Mathematical Model Analytical and Numerical Solution Approaches AMPL Modeling Environment LGO Solver Suite For Nonlinear Optimization AMPL-LGO Numerical Results Comparison to Earlier Results Regression Model Based Optimum Estimates 1 Introduction The diameter of a (convex planar) polygon is defined as the maximal distance among the distances measured between all vertex pairs. In other words, the diameter of the polygon is the length of its longest diagonal. The largest small polygon with n vertices is the polygon of unit diameter that has maximal area. For any given integer n 3, we will refer to this polygon as LSP(n) with area A(n). -
Areas of Polygons Inscribed in a Circle
Discrete Comput Geom 12:223-236 (1994) G iii try 1994 Springer-VerlagNew York Inc. Areas of Polygons Inscribed in a Circle D. P. Robbins Center for Communications Research, Institute for Defense Analyses, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA robbins@ ccr-p.ida.org Abstract. Heron of Alexandria showed that the area K of a triangle with sides a, b, and c is given by lr = x/s(s - a)~s - b• - c), where s is the semiperimeter (a + b + c)/2. Brahmagupta gave a generalization to quadrilaterals inscribed in a circle. In this paper we derive formulas giving the areas of a pentagon or hexagon inscribed in a circle in terms of their side lengths. While the pentagon and hexagon formulas are complicated, we show that each can be written in a surprisingly compact form related to the formula for the discriminant of a cubic polynomial in one variable. 1. Introduction Since a triangle is determined by the lengths, a, b, c of its three sides, the area K of the triangle is determined by these three lengths. The well-known formula K = x/s(s - aXs - bXs - c), (1.1) where s is the semiperimeter (a + b + c)/2, makes this dependence explicit. (This formula is usually ascribed to Heron of Alexandria, c. 60 B.c., although some attribute it to Archimedes.) For polygons of more than three sides, the lengths of the sides do not determine the polygon or its area. However, if we impose the condition that the polygon be convex and cyclic (i.e., inscribed in a circle), then the area of the polygon is uniquely determined. -
Pattern Blocks a Guide to Teaching Strategies, Activities, and Ideas
Pattern Blocks A Guide to Teaching Strategies, Activities, and Ideas 1 INTRODUCTION The Learning About®… Pattern Blocks Activity Book is a resource providing hands-on activities and ideas that allow you, the teacher, to lead students in an active exploration of the world of mathematics. The activities presented involve students in the process of exploring abstract concepts through the use of manipulatives. Students are encouraged to think critically, plan strategy, and share conclusions. This Learning About… Pattern Blocks Activity Book emphasizes ■■communication ■■exploration ■■problem solving ■■analysis Each set of Pattern Blocks consists of 250 blocks in six colors and shapes: 50 green triangles, 50 blue parallelograms (rhombi), 50 red trapezoids, 25 orange squares, 25 yellow hexagons, and 50 tan rhombi. Each side is one inch long except for the red trapezoid which has a two-inch base. Pattern blocks can be used to — ■■sort, match, and count ■■identify and create patterns ■■explore fractional parts ■■model geometric concepts of shape, size, area, and symmetry Exploring with Pattern Blocks Students at all grade levels should be allowed to freely explore and experiment with the Pattern Blocks before guided activities begin. SORTING Objective: Sorting Pattern Blocks by color and shape. Group Size: Small Group (3–4) Procedure: Place a handful of blocks in front of each group of students. Ask students to sort the blocks by color: green, blue, red, orange, yellow, tan. Have students repeat the process, sorting by shape. Ask— ■■How many ____ (red, yellow, tan…) shapes do you have in all? [answers will vary] 2 ■■How many sides does the ____ (orange, blue, green) shape have? [answers will vary] ■■Do you know the name of the orange shape? [square] Green shape? [triangle] The detail of questions asked and the introduction of geometric terms (hexagon, trapezoid, right angle, etc.) should be matched to the developmental level of the students. -
Geometry Cutouts
Geometry Cut-Out Puzzles Introduction In his book: A mathematician’s Delight, the renowned mathematician W.W. Sawyer wrote: “The best way to learn geometry is to follow the road which the human race originally followed: • Do things, • Arrange things, • Make things, • And only then, • Reason about things." The activities contained in Geometry Cut Out Puzzles have been designed with the above principles in mind. Spatial puzzles can at times be frustrating as there are less logical steps to follow than when completing a problem- solving task. Often students employ a ‘trial and error’ approach, pushing around the pieces until some shape or image falls into place. There are some things to look for such as 90 degree or right angles forming corners, much in the same way that you might tackle a jigsaw. Students can look at how two triangles might be joined to form a square or how folding a square in half along a diagonal forms two isosceles triangles. Some students will experience difficulty explaining how they solved a spatial puzzle as they may not possess the appropriate language or spatial visualisation. Students might draw or use gestures to explain how they moved the pieces around. Spatial awareness tends to develop over time as a result of completing puzzles such as those found in this booklet. As students complete the Cut and Re-form Activities in this booklet they will be learning about: Shape • Names of common 2D shapes, and shape families. • Triangles • Scalene, isosceles, equilateral and angles: acute, right and obtuse. • Quadrilaterals • Square, rectangle (oblongs – rectangles that are not square), rhombus, trapezium,parallelogram, kite, etc. -
Explore & Discover: from Little To
Explore & Discover: From Little to Big Instructions Focal Point Tell the students to look carefully at the fi rst design on Geometry – Describing and analyzing properties of the left and to take the pattern blocks needed. Then they two-dimensional shapes. are to copy the design, making a similar design on the Reproduce a fi gure from a reduced size pattern or right in the outline provided, repeating for each design. template. Match shapes with different sizes and the same orientation. Guided Learning 1. What method did you use to fi ll in the large outlines? Materials • Pattern blocks Explore More with PB! On the board or on an overhead projector, present additional designs, drawing or using overhead pattern blocks. Ask the student to copy the design on a blank page. Students may create their own designs on the overhead projector for classmates to copy at their desks. 10 – Pattern Block Book © Didax – www.didax.com From Little to Big Name: LOOK COPY © Didax – www.didax.com Pattern Block Book – 11 Explore & Discover: Kites Instructions Focal Point Ask the student to place the blocks on the kites, one at Geometry – Describing and analyzing properties of a time, in order (Kite A, B and then C). They can cover two-dimensional shapes. Kite D in any manner they choose. Have them record the Investigate two dimensional shapes by covering number of each kind of block used for Kite D. the shapes with various combinations of pattern block pieces. Guided Learning 1. Which kite needed the fewest blocks? The most? Materials 2. -
Math Manipulatives
MATH Preparing for the College and Career Readiness MANIPULATIVES Standards for Adult Education Bonnie Goonen Susan Pittman-Shetler 1 Table of Contents Math Manipulatives ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Long-Lasting Understandings ............................................................................................... 3 Managing Manipulatives ........................................................................................................ 3 Structured Learning Experiences .......................................................................................... 4 Why Don’t All Teachers use Manipulatives? ......................................................................... 4 Materials for Creating Manipulatives ................................................................................................................. 4 Free Items .............................................................................................................................. 5 Inexpensive Items .................................................................................................................. 5 Types of Math Manipulatives to Create ................................................................................. 5 Benefits to Students in Creating Their Own Manipulatives ................................................... 5 Manipulative Templates ..................................................................................................................................... -
Pattern Blocks
Pattern Blocks What are Pattern Blocks? One set of pattern blocks has six colour-coded geometric solids. The top and bottom surfaces of these solids are geometric shapes: hexagon, trapezoid, square, triangle, parallelogram (2). Except for the trapezoid, the lengths of all sides of the shapes are the same. This allows students to form a variety of patterns with these solids. How do Pattern Blocks help students? As their name suggests, pattern blocks are used to create, identify, and extend patterns. Students use the many relationships among the pieces to explore fractions, angles, transformations, patterning, symmetry, and measurement. How many are recommended? Students usually work in pairs or small groups, when using pattern blocks. A class set of about 700 to 1000 pieces allows students enough pieces to do a variety of activities. Sometimes a single set of six pieces per pair is sufficient but larger amounts are often required. Allow time for students to explore the blocks and to become familiar with their attributes. Discuss the variety of names that can be used for each piece, e.g., the two parallelogram faces are also rhombi. The triangle face can also be called an equilateral triangle, an acute triangle, as well as a regular three-sided polygon. Note: Ensure that students understand that blocks are named for the large faces although each block is actually a 3-D geometric solid. For example, instead of properly naming the yellow block as a hexagonal prism, it is usually called a hexagon. Sample Activities 1. How many different ways can you name the orange (square) block? 2.