Showing posts with label KS3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KS3. Show all posts

Dividing Past Times Zero

I found this on Pinterest and now purpose it to assistance my pupils recollect the rules regarding segmentation as well as zero.  It seems to work!

I also similar to demo them a airheaded meme similar the i below to help the rule stick inwards their heads.  A search for 'divide past times zero' on Google Images brings upwards loads of these. I practise apologise to my pupils inwards advance for the bad language, which I intend makes it to a greater extent than memorable.


I was rattling pleased when one of my pupils late wrote this inwards a test. It's squeamish to run across that roughly of them pay attention!


Most calculators laissez passer on the message ‘Maths Error’ when a pose out is divided past times zero.  It’s crucial that pupils empathise why. For didactics ideas, I recommend this fantabulous weblog post 'Why can't you lot dissever past times zero?'.

We purpose this agreement when solving equations similar this:  x2 - 5x = 0. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 mutual error is to divide past times x to give-up the ghost x - v = 0. This incorrectly gives solely i solution (x = 5). Knowing that nosotros shouldn't dissever past times x because x could travel null (unless we're told otherwise) allows us to empathise why the right method is to factorise ie x(x-5) = 0, giving the 2 solutions x = 0 as well as x = 5.

To stretch your students, effort this interesting activeness almost the value of 00, Evaluating a Special Exponential Expression from Illustrative Mathematics.

It's interesting that throughout history, many slap-up mathematicians (including Euler) possess got argued that segmentation past times null gives infinity. Most modern mathematicians accept it every bit undefined.  If you lot desire to practise roughly background reading on the ‘history’ of dividing past times zero, I recommend this article - it's an enjoyable read.



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Highest Mutual Element Together With Lowest Mutual Multiple

There are many methods for finding the Highest Common Factor as well as Lowest Common Multiple of ii or to a greater extent than numbers.  For years I've been didactics pupils to pose the prime number factors into a Venn Diagram, every bit described here. 

I recently discovered an option method that is impressively quick as well as simple.  It is described inwards this video every bit the 'Indian Method'. It's like to the 'upside downwards birthday cake method' but it's much quicker because at that spot is no requirement to operate primes.

Say nosotros desire to notice the Highest Common Factor as well as Lowest Common Multiple of 24 as well as 36.
Write down the ii numbers, then (to the left, every bit inwards my representative below) write downwards whatsoever mutual component (ie 2, 3, 4, half dozen or 12).  I've chosen 6.  Now separate 24 as well as 36 past times half dozen as well as write the answers underneath (4 as well as half dozen inwards this case).  Keep repeating this procedure until the ii numbers have no mutual factors (ie 2 as well as iii below).  Now, your Highest Common Factor is merely the production of numbers on the left. And for the Lowest Common Multiple, notice the production of the numbers on the left as well as the numbers inwards the bottom row. It's slowly to retrieve which is which - to notice the LCM, await for the L shape.


It's hence quick!  And simple!  Try it.

Don Steward features an option method inwards this weblog post.  He mentions that you lot tin notice a LCM past times dividing the production of the ii numbers past times their HCF ie inwards this example, (24 x 36)/12 = 72.

See my Resources Library for resources for didactics HCF as well as LCM.



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Angles Facts

I've e'er taught angles inward parallel lines every bit Fs, Cs in addition to Zs, simply I latterly discovered that pupils prefer to think of Fs, Us in addition to Ns, which operate inward just the same agency simply may live on easier to retrieve because they piece the discussion FUN.

(image from greatmathsteachingideas.com)

Of course of pedagogy there's nonetheless the challenge of remembering the to a greater extent than formal descriptions that they volition ask to role inward their GCSE examination (for event they are required to role the term 'corresponding angle' inward their answers, instead of F-angle).  I advise that they think of 'FC' (football lodge - every bit inward Tottenham Hotspur FC) for F angles = corresponding angles.  I besides advise they could retrieve that Z angles = alternate angles past times thinking of the commencement in addition to final letters of the alphabet. But this doesn't operate if I alter Z to N!  I'll accept to think of something else (or fifty-fifty better, larn them to come upwardly up alongside something).

Resources
There are loads of proficient resources for teaching this topic. Here are a few examples:
There are loads to a greater extent than resources for this theme inward my shape resources library. 

More Angle Facts
On a related note, here's closed to tips for teaching to a greater extent than basic angle facts:

Of course of pedagogy there's nonetheless the challenge of remembering the to a greater extent than formal descriptions that they volition ask to role inward their GCSE examination (for event they are required to role the term 'corresponding angle' inward their answers, instead of F-angle).  I advise that they think of 'FC' (football lodge - every bit inward Tottenham Hotspur FC) for F angles = corresponding angles.  I besides advise they could retrieve that Z angles = alternate angles past times thinking of the commencement in addition to final letters of the alphabet. But this doesn't operate if I alter Z to N!  I'll accept to think of something else (or fifty-fifty better, larn them to come upwardly up alongside something).

Resources
There are loads of proficient resources for teaching this topic. Here are a few examples:
There are loads to a greater extent than resources for this theme inward my mathsisfun.com has a distich to a greater extent than ideas - I similar their proffer that the C of the discussion complementary stands for 'corner' (ie a correct angle) in addition to the due south inward supplementary stands for 'straight' (ie 180 degrees on a withdraw line).
Interestingly, the discussion complementary comes from Latin completum (meaning completed) because the correct angle is persuasion of every bit a consummate angle.



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A Percentages Trick

Just a quick post service today to portion a groovy tip:

You tin rate notice swap the per centum as well as the amount:  16% of £25 is hard to calculate inwards your head, just 25% of £16 is exactly the same amount.

So if you lot desire to speedily function out 16% of £25 without a calculator, honour 25% of £16 instead (ie split £16 past times 4). Simple!

Think most why this works.

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Multiplication As Well As Colour

This uncomplicated persuasion shows how of import it is to role unlike colours when writing on the board - no affair what topic you're teaching.  It actually helps pupils decease along rails of what you're doing.


Source: http://www.jandmranch.com/2013/02/09/teaching-three-digit-multiplication-to-my-aspergers-daughter/ 

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Trial As Well As Improvement

In this post I desire to address a mutual misconception that comes upward when instruction case too improvement. Here's an representative which illustrates the problem:

These trials say us that the solution is betwixt 2.1 too 2.2. The inquiry requires an response to 1 decimal place, too then our concluding solution volition last either 2.1 or 2.2.

At this betoken it looks similar our solution volition last 2.1, because x = 2.1 gives us the closest response to five. But this is a cubic function, non a linear function, too then this is an incorrect supposition (and a mutual misconception alongside students).

We must similar a shot banking corporation jibe the midpoint of 2.1 too 2.2:
Let’s depict our in conclusion iii trials on a set out line:

We tin come across that the solution must prevarication betwixt 2.15 too 2.2.  All values betwixt 2.15 too 2.2 circular to 2.2, hence our concluding response must last 2.2. 

You tin come across hither that it was absolutely necessary to banking corporation jibe x = 2.15. And non merely because you'd lose a grade inward a GCSE for failing to banking corporation jibe it! You could plot the function, every bit shown below (use Desmos - it's fantastic!) too zoom inward on the solution to aid your pupils sympathise this point.


I got this representative from this weblog post.

Resources
While I'm on the dependent patch of case too improvement, let's receive got a quick await at a few instruction resources:



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Similarity

I saw this neat monster GCSE enquiry on Twitter (thanks @ReviseJustMaths) - it inspired me to write a postal service most similarity!
Taken from Edexcel Higher Paper ane Nov 2013

In this postal service I'll focus on resources as well as methods for didactics similar triangles.

Two triangles are similar if they're 'equiangular' (a flake of a mouthful thence I instruct 'AAA' instead). GCSE questions oftentimes require us to outset tally upwards equal angles earlier nosotros start calculating unknown sides using ratio/proportional methods.  This 'matching up' unremarkably involves using angle rules - come across my postal service on FUN angles. The cardinal betoken to emphasise inward didactics is that it truly really helps to describe the ii triangles separately, as well as inward the same orientation. Here's iii examples to illustrate this:

Example ane - Separate Triangles
Example 1 is straightforward - it's clear to come across from the angle labels that the 8cm side inward the outset triangle is proportional to the side labelled x inward the minute triangle.  I'd yet encourage my pupils to redraw the ii triangles inward the same orientation though.
Example 2 - Joined Triangles
Example 2 is less obvious.  My pupils oftentimes brand the error of thinking that side BC is proportional to side CE.  I instruct them to label all equal angles inward the diagram, thence describe triangles ABC as well as EDC separately. They'd thence come across that because <ABC = <CDE (alternate angles) as well as <ACB = <ECD (vertically contrary angles), the side BC is truly proportional to the side CD. 



Example 3 - Combined Triangles

In Example 3 we tin role the same approach every bit inward Example 2. Label all the equal angles inward the diagram ie <ABD = <ECD (corresponding angles), thence describe the triangles ABD as well as ECD separately. In this enquiry it's probable we'll endure asked to function out the length BC, which simply requires a flake of thinking (ie calculate the length BD first, thence subtract the length CD).  




Resources

For resources for expanse as well as mass of similar figures, come across my resource library.



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Two Ways To Role Comic Strips Inwards Maths Teaching

I stumbled across a overnice instruction persuasion inwards this blog post which is all most giving pupils fourth dimension to summarise what they've learnt.  The writer of the spider web log suggests that pupils depict comic strips inwards bird or for homework. Here's but about examples:
Example worksheet

Example of pupil's work


I in ane lawsuit used comic strips for a dissimilar utilization inwards my instruction - I produced this comic strip for my GCSE class, which I showed inwards this Prezi slideshow to generate intelligence most sampling methods.  The characters are all teachers at my schoolhouse (with slightly amended names...).  It went downward good amongst my bird in addition to I laid upwards them the chore of creating their ain versions. We used Bitstrips for Schools which is lovely but tin endure really time-consuming.

(that's meant to endure me past times the way!)



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Binary

Maths pedagogy is oft rushed. We encompass topics also quickly, nosotros essay regularly, nosotros repeat the same matter every year. By Year 10 our pupils are bored. It's as well as then unnecessary as well as frustrating. If alone nosotros spent to a greater extent than fourth dimension on rich Mathematics. I'd honey to deadening down, become off on tangents, permit my pupils investigate as well as discover... The alone fourth dimension I learn the hazard to digress from the Scheme of Work is at the destination of the summertime term.  So I seize the chance to engage my pupils inwards interesting concepts as well as ideas - similar the binary system.

It's tardily to learn pupils interested inwards this topic. Here's around suggestions:
  • Show them a painting demo of a binary watch. I 1 time knew a Year xiii who genuinely wore 1 of these to schoolhouse every day! My pupils were intrigued past times this as well as wanted to know how to read it.
  • You could atomic number 82 into this theme through other seat out systems (Roman Numerals etc).
  • Perform this fantastic binary magic trick.  My pupils loved it! They were desperate to know how it worked.
  • Tell them the joke "There are alone 10 types of people inwards the world: those who sympathize binary as well as those who don't". 
Here's a few examples of resources y'all could purpose inwards a binary lesson:
    Last twelvemonth I went to a fantastic lecture past times Simon Singh (@SLSingh) close Maths inwards the Simpsons.  His book 'The Simpsons as well as their Mathematical Secrets' is absolutely brilliant, a must-read for all Maths teachers.  Singh writes close a scene inwards the Futurama episode 'The Honking' inwards which Bender is alarmed when he reads the binary code 0101100101. When read inwards a mirror, the code reads '666'.  I told my Year 13s close this - they loved it. I wanted to demo them the clip from Futurama only all I institute was this YouTube video in Castilian (?) which they view was hilarious. I also explained the reference to the 'Redrum' scene inwards The Shining - most of them had never seen the cinema as well as then I showed them this clip as well as managed to terrify one-half the class! Myself included. :)




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    Venn Activities

    This post service is nearly using Venn Diagrams equally a educational activity tool, rather than educational activity the concept of Venn Diagrams themselves.  To quote the first-class Johnny Griffiths, 'The Venn Diagram amongst iii bubbles is the maths teacher's friend! ... To travel able to create amount inward an eight-region diagram shows a actually deep agreement of the distinctions that a practiced pupil has to travel able to make, spell the weaker pupil finds beingness faced amongst a painting exhibit such equally this much less threatening than a page of exercises'.

    Before nosotros get-go using Venn activities inward Maths lessons, let's intend nearly whether pupils are familiar amongst how Venn Diagrams work. I acknowledge to beingness a fleck clueless nearly precisely what children report at main school. The primary here), merely I at 1 time prefer the simpler method described in linear equations activity. It helped consolidate their cognition of linear graphs too allowed me to banking concern check their understanding.
  • Johnny Griffith's first-class RISPs (Rich Starting Points for H5N1 Level Core Mathematics) includes the Venn activities Risp 10 (coordinate geometry) too Risp 4 (periodic functions).  In the instructor notes for Risp 10 Johnny shares his views on the usefulness of Venns.
  • A Venn action for Solving Quadratics yesteryear Factorising yesteryear aka nka on TES. 
  • A GCSE extension action on quadratic graphs from MEI.
  • I haven't tried this however merely Don Steward also gives us this lovely here), merely I at 1 time prefer the simpler method described in number activity.

    •  Interactive Venns
    Venns piece of occupation good on the Interactive Whiteboard - here's about examples.

    Other Uses
    • When I innovate complex numbers inward FP1 nosotros create a Venn Diagram during cast give-and-take nearly types of numbers (real, rational, integers etc) too their Greek symbol notation.  The NCETM has a similar Venn action inward this resource sheet.
    • Up until lately I used Venn Diagrams to learn Highest Common Factor too Lowest Common Multiple (method explained here), merely I at 1 time prefer the simpler method described in this post.
    • Quadrilaterals tin travel classified using a Venn Diagram similar this one.  We tin hence answer questions such as 'Is every foursquare a rectangle? Is every rhomb a square?' A 'family tree' also plant well.

    In determination - Venns are everywhere! But inward secondary Maths they are alone formally taught to those studying iGCSE (set theory) too Statistics 1 at H5N1 score (probability). I'm pleased to encounter that Venn Diagram methods inward probability are on the new Maths GCSE Syllabus so volition travel to a greater extent than widely studied inward future. But inward improver to beingness taught equally a topic inward their ain right, Venn Diagrams are a versatile educational activity tool amongst numerous applications inward the classroom. And they convey the added bonus of beingness created yesteryear a British Mathematican! Well done Mr Venn.



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    Area Together With Volume

    Every maths division should ain a giant lawn tennis ball! Walk into the classroom amongst a large fluorescent ball nether your arm as well as you've straight off got the attending of the class.

    Students stand upward inwards a circle as well as are told they're solely allowed to speak if they're asset the ball. Ask "how could nosotros operate out the surface surface area of this ball?" as well as throw it to a random student. Students throw the ball around the circle equally they part their thoughts as well as advise ideas. At some quest a instructor prompt may last necessary, along the lines of, "why did I convey a lawn tennis ball? Why non a football game or netball or golf game ball?". In my sense this prompt may atomic number 82 some students to 'eureka' moments equally they showtime thinking virtually the markings on the surface of the lawn tennis ball. Eventually person volition topographic point that the surface is made upward of iv circles wrapped around each other, as well as they tin as well as so deduce that the formula for the surface surface area is 4Ï€r2. If they demand convincing, present them this slide.


    This is a really engaging activity. As pupils can't verbalize unless they're asset the ball, you'll run across them wildly waving their arms about, silently begging their friends to move past times them the ball so they tin part their ideas!

    Try it - I'd honey to withdraw heed how it goes.

    Area as well as majority is a broad ranging topic, from areas of triangles inwards Year seven to volumes of hemispheres as well as frustums inwards Year 11. Here's a handful of my favourite resources:
    For related shape give-and-take - why produce nosotros tell hemisphere but semicircle? Why non semisphere or hemicircle? I believe it's because the news circle is from the Latin news circus (meaning ring), therefore nosotros role the Latin prefix semi, whereas sphere is from the Greek news sphaira (ball), therefore nosotros role the Greek prefix hemi. This article virtually semi/hemi/demi gives to a greater extent than examples. If y'all similar this as well as so y'all powerfulness also similar these lovely maths vocabulary activities.

    Finally, here's ane for the teachers. It's non equally obvious equally it seems!








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    All Virtually Gradient

    When nosotros learn linear graphs at Key Stage 3, nosotros ofttimes immature lady the chance to explore useful real-life mathematics. In this postal service I portion practical ideas in addition to resources for education the concept of gradient.

    A feel of steepness
    At schoolhouse nosotros usually limited gradients every bit integers or fractions merely route signs inward the United Kingdom of Great Britain in addition to Northern Ireland of Britain in addition to Northern Republic of Ireland demo gradients every bit percentages.  Older signs showed ratios (rise:run) - arguably these were easier to interpret.

    The route sign pictured indicates a slope of 25% ie 1 quarter. We tell the slope of this route is 'one inward four'. Think most this every bit 'rise over run' in addition to hence translate this every bit 'we become upwards 1 unit of measurement for every 4 units nosotros become across'. Wouldn't it last peachy if nosotros could jump inward the schoolhouse minibus amongst our cast in addition to get to a route amongst a 25% slope to consider how steep it is? Unfortunately this is likely impractical (though it could last railroad train every bit a homework, depending on how hilly your local surface area is!).

    There are some impressively steep roads in article attempts to calculate the steepest slope that 1 tin cycle up.  This article says that anything over 16% is considered real challenging for cyclists of all abilities.

    Ripley Street Ridge, San Francisco
    Practical activities using trigonometry
    In existent life it is unremarkably impossible to mensurate the ascension in addition to run of a slope so nosotros role trigonometry to calculate these lengths. Picture a slope every bit a right-angled triangle - nosotros tin role a clinometer to mensurate the angle of elevation in addition to peradventure a trundle wheel to mensurate the length of the hypotenuse. Trigonometry tin so last used to calculate the ascension in addition to run inward gild to uncovering the gradient. The tabular array below shows gradients in addition to their equivalent angles of elevation.  I intend it's of import that students empathize the connectedness betwixt a 100% slope in addition to a 45 marker angle.

    Source: Wikipedia
    Gradient tin likewise last calculated using Pythagoras' Theorem. Say a human being cycles 5km on a slope in addition to knows (from his altimeter watch) that he has climbed 250m vertically.  Again, pic a right-angled triangle - the hypotenuse is 5000m in addition to the pinnacle is 250m. Use Pythagoras to calculate the base of operations (4994m).  Now role 'rise over run' to calculate the slope - inward this illustration nosotros larn 5%.

    These real-life applications of mathematics tin easily last made into practical cast activities. For illustration y'all could use home-made clinometers and trigonometry to calculate the gradients of slopes inward in addition to around school, similar staircases in addition to ramps.

    Resources for education gradient
    • My worksheet on real-life gradients on TES
    • A broad hit of exercises inward this pack. Note that this is a American resources so uses the damage slope in addition to marker instead of gradient.
    • A mensurate of slope - lesson in addition to activities from Mathematics Assessment Project
    • A worksheet of contextual slope problems
    • A gradient activity from Nrich
    • Mixed slope questions by linzbfc on TES
    • PowerPoint on gradients past times Andrea Frame on TES
    • What is gradient? worksheet past times MathsPad
    • this curt video of soul cycling upwards a route amongst 38% gradient. Looks similar difficult work! As a thing of interest, this rather technical article attempts to calculate the steepest slope that 1 tin cycle up.  This article says that anything over 16% is considered real challenging for cyclists of all abilities.

      Ripley Street Ridge, San Francisco
      Practical activities using trigonometry
      In existent life it is unremarkably impossible to mensurate the ascension in addition to run of a slope so nosotros role trigonometry to calculate these lengths. Picture a slope every bit a right-angled triangle - nosotros tin role a clinometer to mensurate the angle of elevation in addition to peradventure a trundle wheel to mensurate the length of the hypotenuse. Trigonometry tin so last used to calculate the ascension in addition to run inward gild to uncovering the gradient. The tabular array below shows gradients in addition to their equivalent angles of elevation.  I intend it's of import that students empathize the connectedness betwixt a 100% slope in addition to a 45 marker angle.

      Source: Wikipedia
      Gradient tin likewise last calculated using Pythagoras' Theorem. Say a human being cycles 5km on a slope in addition to knows (from his altimeter watch) that he has climbed 250m vertically.  Again, pic a right-angled triangle - the hypotenuse is 5000m in addition to the pinnacle is 250m. Use Pythagoras to calculate the base of operations (4994m).  Now role 'rise over run' to calculate the slope - inward this illustration nosotros larn 5%.

      These real-life applications of mathematics tin easily last made into practical cast activities. For illustration y'all could use home-made clinometers and trigonometry to calculate the gradients of slopes inward in addition to around school, similar staircases in addition to ramps.

      Resources for education gradient

       Possible homework investigation questions
      What is a funicular? Why tin funiculars locomote at steeper than 90 degrees?
      What’s the maximum marker allowed for a railway without cable or cogs?
      Why produce y'all intend route builders accept to worry about the marker of the road?
      Why produce y'all intend nosotros accept regulations for building wheelchair ramps?
      At what steepness produce avalanches occur?
      Is it possible to ski at ninety degrees steepness?
      (source)

      I promise this postal service has inspired y'all to attempt out out some novel ideas when education gradient!  Let me know how y'all larn on (@mathsjem).
      Unusual slope sign inward Hertfordshire, UK

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    Linear Graphs

    One of the topics that my pupils combat amongst the most, from Key Stage iii correct through to Year 12, is linear graphs.

    My brilliant Year 11s know the dominion for finding the slope of a perpendicular line, but can't function out how to respond a GCSE enquiry similar this:
    Strangely, I learn this differently at GCSE as well as Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 level.  At GCSE my pupils write down
    y = mx + c
    as well as substitute values for y, k as well as x, as well as hence solve for c.  Whereas at Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 marking my pupils occupation the equation
    y - y1 = m(x - x1)
    Essentially the same method but a slightly dissimilar approach. Perhaps I should endure to a greater extent than consistent as well as innovate the 'A marking method' at GCSE. I'd similar to take away heed what other teachers do.

    In this shipping service I’ll propose roughly ideas as well as resources for instruction linear graphs.

    Key words
    Let's kickoff amongst the basics. There's a lot of novel vocabulary inwards coordinate geometry, roughly of which pupils volition convey encountered at primary school. This is a overnice vocabulary cognition survey every bit suggested inwards my earlier post. 

    Here's a overnice play tricks for remembering the words parallel as well as perpendicular (this could endure helpful for spellings - parallel is oft misspelt): 

    as well as this activity is suitable for Year vi or 7. 

    Introducing the shape y = mx + c
    I'd unremarkably kickoff this theme inwards Year seven or 8 amongst plotting at nowadays occupation graphs (Teachit Maths provides an excellent Drawing Straight Line Graphs booklet for this purpose), before exploring the shape y = mx + c.

    This theme provides an first-class chance for pupil investigation using Desmos. Use a worksheet to direct pupils through the lesson:

    Once pupils are able to translate the values of k as well as c as well as hence they tin shipping away endeavour this exercise or this true/false activity (both from rogradymaths.blogspot.co.uk). Teachit Maths also has a overnice 'Understanding y = mx+c' worksheet and two activities on horizontal as well as vertical lines.

    My weblog shipping service 'All most gradient' features ideas as well as resources for instruction slope (the shipping service focuses mainly on real-life applications of the concept of steepness, but also features links to slope worksheets as well as activities).

    Understanding parallel as well as perpendicular gradients
    So here's the substitution data that pupils demand to understand:

    If they know how to function out a slope every bit 'rise over run' (or equivalent) as well as hence pupils should endure able to derive the 'negative reciprocal' dominion for perpendicular gradients from an activeness similar this i from MathsPad.

    Here's a few activities for a lesson on perpendicular lines:

    Bringing it all together
    When students written report linear graphs at AS level, they don't actually acquire anything novel - my GCSE pupils should convey the necessary skills as well as cognition to respond C1 coordinate geometry questions. I gave my Year xi pupils questions 5 - seven from this AS worksheet final twelvemonth - it took them ages to respond each question, but they were for certain capable. Essentially it's simply the wording of the questions that throws them.

    Here's roughly to a greater extent than recommended resources suitable for GCSE students:

    Finally, fun for puzzle-lovers in linear relationships sudoku and a overnice Key Stage iii Christmas activeness on plotting linear graphs from Teachit Maths - Mistletoe as well as Lines.

    Finally, e'er wondered which countries occupation y = mx + c annotation as well as which countries occupation something different? Check out this map.








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    End Of Term!

    The summertime holidays are fast approaching. Although I'm a believer inward pedagogy maths correct upwards to the halt of term, it tin live difficult to learn a topic properly when lessons are beingness interrupted yesteryear sports day, assemblies, schoolhouse trips etc. But if nosotros don't deliver worthwhile lessons until the final solar daytime of term, as well as thus nosotros can't complain when parents desire to conduct maintain their children on vacation during term-time.

    I'm non against the sentiment of watching a video or playing games inward maths lesson, exactly let's brand certain our students are either learning something novel or becoming to a greater extent than engaged as well as excited yesteryear mathematics.

    My schoolhouse has a criterion prepare of challenges, games, projects as well as investigations that nosotros purpose every year, exactly here's a few of my choice suggestions for halt of term activities:

    Fermat's Last Theorem as well as Pythagoras
    Have you lot read The Simpsons as well as their Mathematical Secrets by Simon Singh? It's a bright book. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 overnice halt of term lesson could involve you lot explaining Fermat's Last Theorem (or purpose this BBC video to explicate it for you) as well as showing your flat how it features inward the Simpsons (it's actually rather clever that Homer seems to conduct maintain disproved it - inward fact it's a 'near miss' solution - every bit explained yesteryear Simon Singh in this video from Numberphile).

    In this lesson your pupils could exercise approximately query into Fermat, or maybe other famous mathematicians - they could create a poster every bit suggested inward this lovely activity from Interactive Maths.  Alternatively, they could await at related Pythagorean problems, such every bit proving Pythagoras' Theorem (which tin live done alongside Origami!), finding Pythagorean triples or investigating Pythagoras alongside other polygons.

    BBC iPlayer is currently showing the Fermat's Last Theorem episode of Horizon - although the maths is rather advanced (it made my encephalon hurt!), it's an interesting episode as well as gives an insight into the travel of mathematicians.
    If you lot similar these Fermat lesson ideas, you lot mightiness also similar my postal service on teaching binary which features to a greater extent than ideas from Simon Singh's book.

    Pascal Investigations
    Pascal's Triangle contains lots of amazing patterns as well as you lot tin easily fill upwards a lesson exploring them. Teachit Maths has a swell PowerPoint as well as activity sheet for this lesson. In this short video a maths instructor briefly explains this history of the triangle. For older students you lot could also innovate 'choose' tone as well as link the triangle to binomial expansions.

     Pi week
    My colleague i time had a Pi themed final calendar week of term alongside i of his classes. The students all brought inward cakes as well as pies, they watched Life of Pi (a lovely cinema exactly non mathematical!) as well as they did Pi-based activities including a Pi recital competition, a freehand circle drawing contest as well as making a giant Pi paperchain (a unlike coloring per digit).

    If you lot conduct maintain whatever other creative ideas for halt of term lessons, I'd dear to involve heed them.


    Inspiration
    I was really lucky to encounter Simon Singh verbalize at the Maths inward Action lectures inward London final year. My schoolhouse took twenty Year 12s to the outcome exactly this yr nosotros conception to conduct maintain xl because it was such a bright solar daytime of lectures. I came away feeling inspired. I actually recommend these lectures, which are for both Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 flat as well as GCSE students.

    Do you lot know what makes the numbers on this jumbotron interesting?  Find out inward this article.



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    Resources, Resources, Resources...

    Inequalities activeness - Project Maths
    I've been working actually difficult on my resources libraries lately, hence I'm pleased to tell I'm live fix to portion them! They tin flame live accessed through the tabs at the move past times of the page.

    This is where I've lay all my resources recommendations for you lot to browse when you're planning lessons. The A' degree pages volition in all likelihood live the most helpful equally it tin flame live difficult to notice practiced resources for Key Stage 5. 

     My recommendations are past times no agency exhaustive - there's loads of practiced resources I haven't discovered nonetheless (the meshing is likewise big, I can't proceed upward alongside it!). But I volition update my listings whenever I come upward across something peculiarly good. To clarify what I hateful past times 'good' - my recommendations include well-designed activities, rich tasks and worksheets for topics where I retrieve it tin flame live difficult to notice suitable practise questions. 

     My Top three Websites
    The resources I've recommended are all gratis as well as come upward from a broad arrive at of sources.  Here's my electrical current favourite websites, inwards no detail order.
    1. Roof Truss task (trigonometry) and Bee Aware (scatter graphs) - at that topographic point are hundreds to a greater extent than as well as they're all awesome.  
    2. MathsPad has enough of first-class gratis resources. Subscription (£3 per month) gives access to their total range. I dear the way their resources are designed, including their interactive activities which are all really engaging as well as slowly to use. Example resources include this lovely Square as well as Cube Numbers Puzzle, and for older pupils I actually like Is it Rational?. 
    3. Teachit Maths has large, well-organised resources libraries.  Free registration gives access to resources inwards pdf form, which is fine for all their printable activities as well as worksheets. You'll demand a subscription (£25 per year) if you lot also desire to access PowerPoints, interactive activities, pedagogy tools etc. Worksheets are well-designed, engaging as well as include solutions. Examples of their resources include this Mental Powers Code Breaker as well as this Transforming Graphs carte kind activity, which I accept used successfully alongside both my Year 11s as well as Year 12s.
    Special get upward to The Chalk Face and Mathematics Assessment Project - both of these websites are total of first-class ideas. I also larn a lot of resources from TES. One of my favourite TES contributors is SRWhitehouse who creates first-class H5N1 degree activities. For a total (and ever-expanding) listing of recommended resources websites, meet my links page.

    Factor Trees - Median Don Steward

    My Blog
    Now I've finished creating my resources libraries, I tin flame larn dorsum to focussing on my blog. Here's or hence of the highlights hence far...

    For a total listing of my weblog posts meet the blog archive.  Not bad going for three months!

    'Find the Coordinates' chore past times Susan Wall


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