India- On 2011-01-11
- By Edugain
Algebra - A fascinating subject
Algebra is when most children get introduced to the concepts of “abstract” mathematics. Suddenly their world gets involved in quantities like “x” and “y”s. And if not introduced properly it can lead to fear of the subject. But if taught properly they can see that the “x” and “y” are like words that form a beautiful poem and they’ll delight themselves when they learn this secret language and understand the beauty of algebra.
Understanding and practice can go a long way in helping children here. Sites like EduGain (www.edugain.com) can help children in doing this.
Let’s look at a simple problem that can illustrate the beauty of this language (adults may like it too). Note that this article is meant only for children studying in grade 6 and above.
Suppose you take a long, really long string. You then cut out enough of it so that it can go all the way around the earth (I told you it was really long).
So now you have this string that’s on the ground and encircling the earth along the equator.Now suppose you add another 30 centimeters to that string (that’s about the length of your long ruler). We then smoothen it out by pulling it up from the ground all over the equator so that it forms a proper circle again.
The question is “How high do you think the string will be above the ground now?”
Sounds very hard to solve, right. But let’s see…
We know that the circumference of a circle is C = 2 x ? x R, where R is the radius.
(don’t worry about ? – let’s just use the value of “3? for now)
So, C = 2 x 3 x R = 6 x R
Now we don’t know the exact radius of the earth here, but we don’t need to. Let’s leave it as a symbol R. So the length of the original string = 6 x R. We’ll just call it 6R (and know it means the value of R, whatever it is, multiplied by 6).
So C = 6R
Now we added 30 cm to C. The length of the new string is now C+30.
What we need to find out is how much R increases.
Let’s say that R increased by some length Z. The value of Z is what we want to find
So for the string, we can say it has a new circumference (Cnew) a new radius (Rnew)
We also know that since it’s a circle
Cnew = 6Rnew
And we know that the new circumference Cnew = C+30,
and that
Rnew = R + Z (remember we already assumed R increased by a length Z which we are trying to find out).
So we get
C + 30 = 6(R + Z).
Expanding this, we get,
C + 30 = 6R + 6Z
But we already know that 6R = C
Let’s replace the 6R by C on the right side
C + 30 = C + 6Z
The two “C”s cancel out, leaving us with
30 = 6Z, or
Z = 30/6 = 5
Amazing isn’t it. The new string would be 5 cm above the ground all everywhere. Just by adding 30 cm extra.
And what’s more amazing – we solved it through Algebra
Global
Australia
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
China
Europe
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kuwait
Malaysia
Mauritius
Mexico
Nepal
Netherlands
Oman
New Zealand
Pakistan
Philippines
Qatar
Russia
S Korea
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Turkey
UAE
UK
USA
Vanuatu
Vietnam
nice post. thanks.
Wow! I never thought like that. I always used to think that algebra is just another complicated topic of math that I will most certainly not understand. I see there is more to it...
Very interesting and well written article for kids. My daughter liked it, can you also write similar article on geometry.
Beneficial info and excellent design you got here! I want to thank you for sharing your ideas and putting the time into the stuff you publish! Great work!
Nice work, I am waiting for more posts like this.
What a fantastic site it is.I have never seen such a site that gives total correct marks with pecentage and improvement according to last 5 exams
Keep it on.
awesome blog with superb content.
hi there, it is rather wonderful in the future right here. this is a perfect discussion board
this is a exceedingly nice weblog!
This is wonderful blog. I love it.
Hey, possibly this post is not on topic but in any event, I have been browsing about your site and it looks really neat. It is easy to see I am creating a new blog and I am struggling to make it look great, and supply excellent subject matter. I have learned a lot here and I look forward to additional updates and will be returning.
Hi, i must say fantastic site you have, i stumbled across it in AOL. Does you get much traffic?
I must say this article was very interesting. I found you with a google search and was rather impressed by your rank for this article.
I'm still learning from you, while I'm trying to achieve my goals. I definitely enjoy reading all that is written on your site.Keep the tips coming. I liked it
I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you're stating and the way in which you say it.
Very good written article. It will be helpful to everyone who usess it, including myself. Keep up the good work - can'r wait to read more posts.
Great info buddy thanks for useful article. I am waiting for more
Any way I'll be coming back and I hope you post again soon.
Please keep it up because the internet needs someone like you spreading the word.
This really answered my drawback, thank you
IMHO you've got the right ansewr!
Great tihnnkig! That really breaks the mold!
In awe of that answer! Relaly cool!
Kudos! What a neat way of thinnkig about it.
Real brain power on display. Tahkns for that answer!
Been reading for a few days now. It was very good and solid info. BTW, Nice web site design too
Greetings. I absolutely did some web surfing and found this blog. I resolute next to particular of this blog put up and it is in point of fact incredible.I clearly genuinely enjoy your website.Perfectly, the chunk of posting is in guarantee the least finest on this genuinely worth though subject. I added it and i
I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They are very convincing and will definitely work. Thanks for the post.
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such fantastic info being shared freely out there.
Posts like this birghetn up my day. Thanks for taking the time.
Back in shocol, I'm doing so much learning.
I agree 100%
Real nice design and wonderful content material, nothing else we want
Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
Really interesting blog, keep up the good work!
Extremely fantastic information could be found on web site.
Thanks for tris interesting information! I found it very useful
I will give this blog a A+ so helpful!
I ran into this page on accident, surprisingly, this is a great website. The site owner has done a great job writing/collecting articles to post, the info here is really insightful. You just secured yourself a guarenteed reader.
Hey We simply love your charming write-up and pls keep on going
You have a great blog. Keep It Up.
Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one's website, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
You know what, I just love this subject and am fascinated by the way you have put up this article. I prefer, you should be putting more articles so that many other students can get interest in mathematics. It was fascinating reading it.
amazing
I also love Algebra and I am trying to learn it by heart. this is a very good topic to express algebra to the beginners like me.
It is the best way to eliminate fear from mind @kunal gupta9
Great, keep writing such good articles.
I find it very helpful
I find it very helpful
I find it very helpful
Couldn't have asked for anything better than algebra...
I like algerbra
I like algebra
did'ent get it. sorry
Nice
vvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyy nniiccee