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Circular pave-stones backyard A packing problem |
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Classroom materials, motivating pupils for math and science |
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 World of Work  Becoming a(n)... Designer/architect of exterior places  Context Optimization problem which involve arranging objects as densely as possible. Role Student are asked to empathize with the role of architect/ designer of exterior places. Activity Students investigate ways to pave a backyard with circular pave-stones. The aim is to minimize the empty space between the stones. Product Reflextion on the practical value of the activity. |
Abstract To arrange objects in a way that leaves the minimum possible empty space between them is a skill needed in everyday life as well as in various professions. Professional tasks are for example positioning containers in a storehouse, arranging pave-stones in a pavement, packaging luggage in planes etcetera. In this activity students use coins as a model to investigate ways to pave a backyard with circular pave-stones. The aim is to minimize the empty space between the stones. Packing problems are a class of optimization problems in mathematics which involve attempting to pack objects together inside a given area or space, as densely as possible. The aim is to find the configuration with the maximal density. Documents Copyright/Creative Commons Mascil partner: EL  Materials are published under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.    |
Inquiry Learning Inquiry Learning Dimensions - Exploring situations ✓ - Planning Investigations - Experimenting systematically - Interpreting and evaluating - Communicating results ✓ Discipline - Mathematics ✓ - Biology - Physics - Chemistry - Engineering Target group - Primary Education - Lower Secondary Education - Upper Secondary Education Age range 11-18 Duration 100 min. |
