Maths in Google Earth October 1, 2006
Posted by Joseph Papaleo in Google Earth, Paul Harrington, Tom Barrett, blogs, mathematics.trackback
I just came across Tom Barrett’s blog via Paul Harrington. He is a Primary teacher in the UK and his blog is all about using IT in his classroom. Looking through it, I discovered a great project he has developed for Maths.
It got me thinking about a project I’m planning for my Year 9 Maths classes. I have been nutting my brain out for the last few weeks, trying to put together a real life project for simultaneous equations. And the solution appeared as I looked at Tom’s site.
The project idea goes something like this – and any mathematicians out there, I know the earth is round and the soltuions won’t be exact, but they’ll be close enough for this task.
- In our neighbourhood, there is a planned train line extension.
- Assuming the extension will be a straight line, find its’ equation using latitude and longitude.
- At some point it will intersect with a road. Find the equation of the road
- Surveyors need to visit the site of the intersection. They need the latitude and longitude of the intersection to visit it.
- Find the intersecting point of the train line and road by using their knowledge of simultaneous equations
Bingo, a real life problem solving activity using Simultaneous Equations and Google Earth at the same time. And who said Maths is boring??
I’ll post the actual assignment to this blog and other places for other teachers to use in the near future.
Hi Papejo
Ooops my name Paul Harrington
sorry didn’t ask you to correct before. Yes, Tom Barrett’s work on Google Earth shows a very innovative use of the technology. He is very keen to spread the word to others
Paul