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Listed under:  Mathematics  >  Number (Mathematics)  >  Proportions  >  Ratios
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Using maths to understand the universe

When completed, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project will be the largest and most capable radio telescope available to scientists. Radio telescopes like the SKA detect radio waves produced by events and objects in the furthest reaches of space, translating these waves into data and imagery that allow scientists to study ...

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reSolve: Fibonacci Miles

This lesson introduces students to a trick for quick conversion between miles and kilometres using the Fibonacci sequence. Students are challenged to explain why the trick works. They investigate using their knowledge of ratio and discover that the miles/kilometres conversion rate is close to the golden ratio. The lesson ...

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MathXplosion, Ep 50: How to use a tetrahedron to solve the tree problem

How can you place four trees exactly the same distance apart from one other? By making a model! By using miniature trees to make a model of the problem, it becomes clear that a 2D solution is impossible. We learn how objects can help us visualise the problem situation, which in this case requires a 3D solution: a tetrahedron.

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Maths inside bees and beehives

Bees are necessary for assisting many plants to produce the food we eat, including meat and milk. Colony collapse disorder, which describes the disappearance of beehives, could have catastrophic effects on food production. Australian scientists are applying their maths and science knowledge to build up a picture of a healthy ...

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MathXplosion, Ep 10: What is the strongest shape?

Are triangles really the strongest shapes ever? If so, why? Learn how and why right-angled and equilateral triangles have been used in engineering, architecture and design through the ages.

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Modelling climate changes

There is a saying: 'climate is what you expect and weather is what you get'. |Understanding climate change is very difficult for most people, especially when the weather we experience is different from the information we are given by scientists about the climate changing. The difference is that weather reflects short-term ...

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My Five Cents: Why borrowing can cost you more

Think credit cards are basically free money? Gen Fricker will make you think again. Learn how interest rates and fees affect the money you borrow, and why they may be more expensive in the long run. Oh dear! Then test yourself with ASIC MoneySmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  

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BTN: Calculating area using locust plagues

How many locusts in a plague? Find out just how big the threat of locusts can be and how farmers try to prevent the plagues from getting out of control. This clip provides context for a combination of area, area units and rate problems.

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Catalyst: Nautical Robots

How might you find out how much and where the Earth's oceans are warming? Watch the report by Ruben Meerman and discover how more than 3000 'nautical robots', known as argo floats, have been placed in the oceans to collect data on variations in temperature, pressure and salinity.

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Comparing fuel consumption

Is it more fuel efficient to drive or fly between two places? Watch this clip and learn how to calculate the answer. What are the various factors that need to be taken into account? This video was made using the American measurement of gallons per hour, American firgures for the average number of passengers in a car and ...

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Mystery man Pythagoras meets his match

What do you know about Pythagoras? Join Vi Hart as she not only explains his theorem but raises some legends about his dark past! Follow Vi's timeline of famous mathematicians to find out in which century Pythagoras lived. See how Vi shows a proof of his theorem and raises what was a big dilemma for Pythagoras: the irrational ...

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Catalyst: Take the Phi Golden challenge

The golden ratio, Phi: fact or fallacy? What about the Fibonacci sequence? We are told this ratio and its cousin Fibonacci occur everywhere in nature. Let's see which of these claims stacks up when put to the test.

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reSolve: Gradient and Tangent

This sequence of two lessons investigates gradient and angle by applying the tangent ratio to find the angles represented by a road sign or the angle of a street. In the first lesson, students research what a road grade is and determine the actual angle of a road given its grade. They then construct their own road sign ...

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reSolve: Tree Biomass

In this sequence of two lessons, students investigate how many trees would be required to supply paper for their school for a year. Students use similar triangles, Pythagoras' Theorem and algebra to design and construct a Biltmore stick, used to measure the diameter and height of a tree. They measure trees, calculate their ...

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reSolve: Mechanical Linkages: Similar Triangles

This sequence of lessons explores the geometry of similar triangles using two real world objects: ironing boards and pantographs. In the first lesson, students investigate different ironing board leg lengths and pivot positions using similar and congruent triangles. In the second lesson, they use their knowledge of parallelogram ...

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Triathlon and Fitness

This resource is a web page containing an investigative task that explores rate. The estimated rate at which a competitor burns calories per hour for each discipline of triathlon is used to answer a problem. A 'Getting started' and 'Solutions' page is also available to support the task. This resource is an activity from ...

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Mixing More Paints

This resource is a web page containing an investigative task to explore ratios and is a follow up to the task Mixing Paints. The context of mixing paints to particular ratios of colours provides a useful task to model practical situations involving ratios. A 'Getting started' and 'Solutions' page is also available to support ...

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Indigo Interior

This resource is a web page containing a problem solving task that requires an understanding of Pythagoras' theorem. The task involves finding the area of shaded region with a circle with a known area. To solve the problem students need to establish a right angled triangle and apply Pythagoras' theorem. A printable resource ...

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Round and Round and Round

This resource is a web page containing an interactive that can be used to explore the relationships between the angles of turn that produce the same vertical and horizontal displacements. The task provides an opportunity to apply their understanding of division and recurring decimals. A 'Getting started' page, printable ...

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Tuning and Ratio

This resource is a web page containing a challenging problem solving task that requires an understanding of ratios and logarithms. It explains how intervals such as an octave corresponds to a particular ratio of string lengths which produce the notes. Two types of tuning based on ratios; The Pythagorean Scale and Just Intonation ...