Month: January 2015

What exactly is the vertical line test?

College Algebra, High School Algebra, High School Mathematics

A function as we have discussed is a relationship between two sets, where each element in the first set has exactly one corresponding element in the second set. If we think of candies which cost 10 cents each, then we can say that 1 candy costs 10 cents, 2 candies cost 20 cents, 3 candies cost 30 cents, and so on. We can think of this relationship as a function since for each number of candies, there is only one possible price.

If we consider the relation y = 2x, then we can say that it is a function since for every value we substitute to x, there is one and only one corresponding value for y. For instance, if x = -3, then y = -6 and and if x = 9, then y = 18 (one y for each x).  » Read more

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5 Math Jokes About Engineer, Physicist, Mathematician

Fun and Jokes, Math Lite

Office Fire

An engineer, a physicist, and a mathematician are working, when a small fire breaks out in front of their offices.
The engineer panics and grabs the fire extinguisher, spraying it everywhere, putting out the fire, but causing extra damage in the process.
The physicist runs some quick calculations, and uses just enough to put out the fire.
The mathematician sees the fire, looks over to the fire extinguisher and says “a solution exists!” then returns to his office.

Abandoned Building

A physicist, a biologist and a mathematician are sitting in a street café watching people entering and leaving the house on the other side of the street.
First they see two people entering the house. Time passes.  After a while they notice three people leaving the house.  » Read more

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Three Sticks: A New Promising Math Game

Games and Puzzles

Last year, I shared Primo, a game that is aimed to develop the notion of prime numbers among players. In this post, I am going to share with you another interesting game called Three Sticks which aims to develop knowledge of basic geometric shapes.  In this game, using the same three types of sticks, players try to figure out different shapes and score points. In each turn, a player is allowed to put two sticks in order to form shapes with the largest number of points. Watch the video below to know more about the details on how the game is played.

Some of the mathematical concepts that can be learned by playing Three sticks are

  • polygons and their properties
  • how to calculate perimeter of polygons
  • convex and non-convex polygons
  • regular and irregular polygons

The printable board, cards, sticks, and Rules book can be found here. Three Sticks is currently on trial, so even the sticks are also printable. According to the designer, the actual set will include  plastic sticks and a board with holes into which the sticks would fit,

Three Sticks was developed by Pramod Ponnaluri of Kitki.in.

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