Hello and welcome to the fourth Waldomaths newsletter. If you wish you can see an online version of this at http://www.waldomaths.com/nl04.jsp.
Waldomaths Newsletter no. 4
March 2011 - Happy Equinox!
Two new applets for March
1 - Symmetry 3 applet
www.waldomaths.com/Symmetry3NLW.jsp
This is in addition to the last symmetry applet, and deals with hexagonal symmetry. It should be a little bit of fun for kids to play around with. They can make up symmetrical patterns with various rotational and reflectional symmetries, or describe the symmetry of a given pattern, etc. Clicking a small triangle draws a large dot in it, and the symmetry of the dots is then examined. A number of different investigations can be done, all helping to strengthen awareness of shape and space, and provoking insights in symmetries and how they combine. Once again I'd be pleased to hear what you think.
2 - Simultaneous (systems of) equations applet
http://www.waldomaths.com/SimEq1NLW.jsp
Yes, I've finally published this applet after years of thinking about it. I think it works well now, for teachers and students, but I can always use some feedback. It's quite a complicated applet, and I advise watching the videos described below...
Three videos made from the simultaneous equations applet above
http://www.waldomaths.com/video/SimEq01/SimEq01.jsp
This video has a gentle introduction to elimination of one of the variables by adding the equations.
http://www.waldomaths.com/video/SimEq01a/SimEq01a.jsp
This video extends to subtracting the two equations for elimination of one of the variables, or changing signs and adding the equations.
http://www.waldomaths.com/video/SimEq02/SimEq02.jsp
This video looks at multiplying one or both equations by a number before adding or subtracting the two equations.
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who has used Waldomaths recently, and especially to those who have joined the newsletter mailing list. Please let me know if there are any problems with you mailing.
In the next newsletter (late April 2011)
Next month I will be making more offers and hopefully publishing some more videos. I'm continuing with updating some of my revision pages, ready for the summer exams. I'm working on two new applets, and maybe more.
With best wishes and happy surfing,
Ron Barrow
Author of Waldomaths
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