News1 min ago
Maths Homework Help
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Wonder if anyone can either help or point me towards a 'Math's for idiots' website.
My 12 year old son has been given an investigation to do based on the following - he has a picture of a 2 x 3 grid of squares 'made' of matches and he has to show the relationship of matches to any size of grid (presume there must be some sort of magic formula) and then he has to do the same for any size 3D grid. I don't want to do it for him (and obviously I couldn't anyway as I don't understand it) but I do want to be able to help him/encourage him, but I can't if I don't get it.
Any help gratefully received (pretty sure maths wasn't so complicated when I went to school).
My 12 year old son has been given an investigation to do based on the following - he has a picture of a 2 x 3 grid of squares 'made' of matches and he has to show the relationship of matches to any size of grid (presume there must be some sort of magic formula) and then he has to do the same for any size 3D grid. I don't want to do it for him (and obviously I couldn't anyway as I don't understand it) but I do want to be able to help him/encourage him, but I can't if I don't get it.
Any help gratefully received (pretty sure maths wasn't so complicated when I went to school).
Answers
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Since it takes 17 matches to form a basic 2 x 3 grid of squares, I guess you could see how many matches it takes to form other sized grids.
Then plot a graph of the results (number of squares against number of matches needed), and find a formula from that (if there is one)
Since it takes 17 matches to form a basic 2 x 3 grid of squares, I guess you could see how many matches it takes to form other sized grids.
Then plot a graph of the results (number of squares against number of matches needed), and find a formula from that (if there is one)
There is a pattern.
He should try it himself- I think this is a great investigation.
Do squares rectangles that are
1x1 (4 matches), 1x 2 (7 matches), 1x3 (10 matches)..... need 3 more each time
Then do 2 x 1 (also 7 matches), 2x2 (12 matches), 2x3 (17 matches)....goes up in 5s
Then try 3x1 (10), 3 x2 (17), 3 x 3 (24)... goes up in 7s
Repeat. Enjoy
He should try it himself- I think this is a great investigation.
Do squares rectangles that are
1x1 (4 matches), 1x 2 (7 matches), 1x3 (10 matches)..... need 3 more each time
Then do 2 x 1 (also 7 matches), 2x2 (12 matches), 2x3 (17 matches)....goes up in 5s
Then try 3x1 (10), 3 x2 (17), 3 x 3 (24)... goes up in 7s
Repeat. Enjoy
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