November 29, 2018
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Comments Off on In Pursuit of Mathematical Art
In a recent input in Discovering Maths, we had a chance to create some mathematical art and my favourite of these was a curve of pursuit. (MathsMasterOrg (2011)) This is created by choosing a regular shape, making a mark an equal distance from each corner and joining these dots to create a slightly smaller shape. […] Continue reading
November 16, 2018
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Comments Off on The Daily Mile-matics
Throughout this module, we have often been asked to reflect on our own experiences of learning mathematics at school and my memories are almost exclusively textbooks in the classroom and being excited that you had filled all of the squared paper in your jotter. Fast forward 15 years or so to ‘Miss Duncan’ teaching mathematics […] Continue reading
November 7, 2018
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Comments Off on ”4 for £1!”, ”buy 2, get the 3rd free!” Think fast! Or slow…
As a part-time store assistant in a popular discount store providing ”top brands at bottom prices”, my colleagues and I spend a fair amount of time filling up baskets of items considered to be ”Star Buys” with bright, yellow stickers to attract the attention of shoppers as they walk through the door. On the (rare) occasion […] Continue reading
November 4, 2017
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Comments Off on Analogue Clocks: Pointless and Confusing?
Living in a digital world, I ask the question: do we need to teach pupils how to read an analogue clock in schools? Although most of us have converted to digital clocks in our online, digital world with our smartphones, computers and televisions; we cannot deny that our encounters with analogue clocks are not completely […] Continue reading
October 30, 2017
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Comments Off on The System
Following a workshop on the idea of counter-intuitive mathematics, I was intrigued to find out more about how we can look past our intuition or gut feelings to understand mathematical concepts such as probability. I am someone who struggles to grasp this mathematical concept, as I cannot see past the black and white picture: that […] Continue reading
December 1, 2016
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Comments Off on Have I Discovered Mathematics?
I have recently finished my essay for my elective module – Discovering mathematic! Honestly, I found this essay extremely difficult to write and link to my chosen subject. Overall, I really enjoyed discovering mathematics and I feel that it has increased my confidence in using maths. I learned that maths is not all about numbers […] Continue reading
December 1, 2016
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Comments Off on Maths and astronomy
for me, I have always been extremely interested in space, the universe and the stars and have always enquired about what more there is to find and what actually happens outside of the earths little bubble. Following the discovering mathematics module has enlightened me about many applications of maths that I had previously never thought […] Continue reading
November 30, 2016
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Comments Off on Is Maths Fun?
For me, I always enjoyed maths at school, I enjoyed having one answer to a question and being able to proof that answer yourself, and I was actually rather good at it. However coming into this module I knew this was not the case for many of my colleagues and that within schools ‘maths anxiety’ can be […] Continue reading
November 29, 2016
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Comments Off on Maths in time or time in maths?
Throughout the discovering mathematics module I’ve learnt a lot about how maths is all around us disguised in our daily routines. Most recently, I was amazed just how much maths is in time but not in a way you would normally think. We are all fully aware that part of the curriculum for maths is […] Continue reading
November 29, 2016
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Comments Off on Music and maths
“Rhythm depends on arithmetic, harmony draws from basic numerical relationships, and the development of musical themes reflects the world of symmetry and geometry. As Stravinsky once said: “The musician should find in mathematics a study as useful to him as the learning of another language is to a poet. Mathematics swims seductively just below the […] Continue reading
November 29, 2016
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Comments Off on Maths is art?
Maths is everywhere, from structures and buildings to technology and science, mathematics can be seen by anyone at anytime. However, what some people fail to notice is the importance of maths within art, with sequences and ratios being used to create some of the most famous paintings and designs ever created. ad far back as Leonardo […] Continue reading
November 23, 2016
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Comments Off on Bookies or Bust
One area the particularly interested me throughout my development within the module was the importance of math’s within gambling, something I myself occasionally partake in and something many of my friends do. Gambling consists of many forms including betting shops, casinos, and racing but for this I will focus on casinos in particular. A study by the […] Continue reading
November 22, 2016
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Comments Off on Making Mathematical Connections
During my engagement with the discovering mathematics module, and my research for my essay, I came across an enlightening post from Linda M. Gojak, the president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Within the post she states the importance of making connections within mathematics, and how one experience of connections being made […] Continue reading
November 22, 2016
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Comments Off on Why did I choose Discovering Mathematics?
I chose to take the elective of discovering mathematics mainly because of my fear of maths. Before choosing my elective, I had a look at all of the choices given to me. Originally, I was going to take French as my elective but as I am fluent in French already, I did not feel that […] Continue reading
November 21, 2016
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Comments Off on Maths and Music in Harmony
“Rhythm depends on arithmetic, harmony draws from basic numerical relationships, and the development of musical themes reflects the world of symmetry and geometry. As Stravinsky once said: “The musician should find in mathematics a study as useful to him as the learning of another language is to a poet. Mathematics swims seductively just below the […] Continue reading
November 21, 2016
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Comments Off on Time for Maths
Time is a funny thing. It is something that we all use but we have no idea where it originates from. Why do we use the time system that we do? How before clocks were invented did we know what time it was? How do animals know what time it is? Well let’s try and […] Continue reading
November 16, 2016
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Comments Off on Time flies when you’re having fun!
Before Mechanical Clocks Before mechanical clocks were invented there were sundials, obelisks and water clocks which helped people tell the time of day it was. Sundials, obviously, told the time by the sun and the way it worked was with the shadows produced on the sundial. Sundials are the oldest known instruments for telling time. The […] Continue reading
November 16, 2016
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Comments Off on Main Principles in Mathematics
Liping Ma (2010) suggests that to have a profound understanding of fundamental mathematics (PUFM) that you must have these 4 main principles which are, basic ideas, connectedness, multiple perspectives and longitudinal coherence. In this post, I will discuss my understanding of these 4 principles. Basic Ideas Liping Ma (2010, p.122) states that: “Basic Ideas. Teachers […] Continue reading
November 11, 2016
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Comments Off on Has Maths Ruined The Election?
On Tuesday Americans over the age of 18 had the opportunity to vote for who they would like to see as their next president. They had the choice between a variety of candidates but the real competition was between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton. This election has dominated the media over […] Continue reading
November 4, 2016
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Comments Off on Maths and Music
Growing up maths and music were two of my most favourite subjects so I thought it was only right that I did a blog post about the links between them and the maths rooted in music. Having played the keyboard and piano since I was 8, I have a deep understanding of all things music, from […] Continue reading
