March 2012

Appreciation Geometry

This is Not a Rectangle

After having fun exploring rigid and non-rigid frames, I hung one of our indeterminate quadrilaterals up on the board. The next day, we were proving a theorem about orthodiagonal quadrilaterals, and the final step concluded that a particular quadrilateral was actually a rectangle.

I found a cute little spot to finish our proof.

This elicited a few laughs from students who appreciated the irony.

But apparently, some students in a later class did not appreciate it. They felt the need to chime in.

As a general rule I must oppose mathematical graffiti, but it’s hard not to respect their position.

By patrick honner, 13 years5 years ago

Economics NYT Teaching

Math Lesson: Economic Recovery

My latest contribution to the New York Times Learning Network is a math lesson built around investigating the indicators analysts use to classify and predict economic recovery.

https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/on-the-road-to-recovery-analyzing-economic-indicators/

By collecting and analyzing data presented in Times infographics and other official sources, students can analyze the various economic indicators to assess the current condition of the U.S. economy.

By comparing and contrasting the various indicators, and connecting these abstract measures with their own personal experiences, students begin to build understanding of the complex task of quantifying economic performance.

By patrick honner, 13 years7 years ago

History Resources

Portrait of John Conway

This is a short and engaging portrait of John Conway, one of the world’s most recognized mathematicians.

http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2012/03/01/30161/

Conway is decidedly eccentric, which is not uncommon in the world of mathematics. He loves magic, juggling, and games, and has something of a a reputation as an odd chap. But his mathematical contributions are numerous and substantial: Conway’s Game of Life in and of itself is a remarkable mathematical construction, but he is also credited with inventing (or discovering?) surreal numbers. Conway has also contributed to the theory of sphere packing.

The article above, from the Daily Princetonian, is a quick and lively read, a fun portrait of a brilliant and curious man.

By patrick honner, 13 years5 years ago

Geometry Resources

Surface Gallery

This is a nice visual gallery of algebraic surfaces.

Gallery of Algebraic Surfaces

An algebraic surface is essentially a surface whose equation is a polynomial in three variables (typically x, y, and z).

Judging from Zeppelinand Zweiloch, our curator must be German. My favorites are the Dromedar and the Wigwam. Clicking on an image gives you a better look.

It’s interesting that Mobius, Wendel, and Croissant have no corresponding equation listed. Are these not algebraic surfaces?

By patrick honner, 13 years5 years ago

Teaching Technology

Notes on the Digital Department

Collaboration and sharing with virtual colleagues has become an invaluable part of my professional life. Like so many others, I turn to social media for teaching ideas, mathematical conversation, and a supportive and constructive space to reflect.

The extent to which this works continues to amaze me. And every now and then something happens that reminds me just how remarkable it is.

Recently, I received an email from an English teacher in my school whom I’d never met. Apparently this teacher had been using 12 Ways to Use the New York Times to Develop Math Literacy with her students all year, completely unaware of my connection to it! Only because we share a student in common were we ever made aware of our indirect collaboration.

Hopefully as tools and practices continue to grow and expand, the gap between the physical and the digital school will continue to close. Until then, there are sure to be many more amusing moments like this!

By patrick honner, 13 years5 years ago

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