12/12/11

when am I ever going to use this?

Sometimes, when I am most frustrated with a problem or concept I ask myself when will I ever use this in real life?? Sometimes this question is not obvious and at other times it is. Here are 5 examples of when I have used mathematics in everyday life.
1. Tipping at a restaurant.
2. Baking.
3. Giving Change.
4. Measuring....anything.
5. The sunday sudoku....:)

12/5/11

3 is a Magic Number

So lately I have been working on prime numbers. If you don't know what a prime number is: Here you go: 

A Prime Number can be divided evenly only by 1 or itself.
And it must be greater than 1.

Example: 7 can be divided evenly only by 1 or 7, so it is a prime number.

If it is not a Prime Number it is called a Composite Number

Example: 6 can be divided evenly by 1, 2, 3 and 6 so it is a composite number.
And for my homework over the weekend I had to find the multiples of 2,3,5,7, and 11 and color them on separate prime number sheets. And I found some pretty interesting patterns. Take a look at the example of the multiples of 3 below: 


You will notice if you turn your head slightly that this collection of multiples makes a pattern, like stripes.
3 is a really interesting number to play with, it can be found in many different types of letters and has a great mathmatical importance in one of the most elementary shapes: A triangle. A triangle has 3 sides, 3 corners, 3 angles and when you have a 3-demensional triangle which has 6 sides. And 3+3=6! So many different patterns of 3.
In conclusion enjoy this school house rock video about the magical properties of 3!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LZ4j4598ws


YAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY 3333333333

11/10/11

1(3)^4-2=79

First off. Here is something that you have to understand, I do NOT Hate Math. I have dycalculia, a math learning disability. I once described my Dyscalculia to my mom like this: 
Picture yourself in class. You are learning how to speak a foreign language, but with the same alphabet as your natural tongue. You try and try and try but never seem to be able to remember what you learn. Basic vocabulary and concepts often seem to disappear from your brain. And all the while you are surrounded by classmates who are doing quite well at learning this language. Image dreading to be called on by your teacher and having to ask for the 3rd time that day what a word means again. You feel stupid, adequate. You want to learn this language but something in your mind is blocking you, a wall made of numbers and equations you have to break down brick by brick. 
That's one of the best ways I can think of to describe my experience with dyscalculia. Math, is everywhere in this world. You use it everyday in any number of situations. You can't escape it if you struggle with it. 
I used to say "Oh. I am just REALLY BAD at Math." Now I try to do my best to explain dyscalculia. 
If you have ever heard of Fermat's Enigma you will understand this analogy. (If not, look it up, its fascinating) 
How I learn math is quite an enigma, but someone solved Fermat's Enigma, and I am determined to solve mine. (With a lot of practice and help of course!)