Mathematics Links

Balance Activities

Mechanics in the Primary Years
We might associate mechanics with mathematics at a high level but this article demonstrates that there is plenty of scope for tackling some aspects with younger children and suggests that this provides a great opportunity to link to the Science curriculum.
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=4727

Turning Cogs
Explore the cogs interactivity in Turning Cogs with your pupils and see if they can deduce how they interlock.
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=4771

Weighted Numbers
Can children work out where to hang the numbered weights so that it balances?
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=4726

Balance 1, 2 & 3
Students can use the environment to find out where Meg should place her pouch of marbles so that it balances with Mo's.  Can they predict how many marbles Mo would need if Meg's pouch were 75cm from the centre?
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=4342
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=4343
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=4344

Inside Outside
Requires the use of algebra to find arrangements of weights that balance.
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=4767

Whoosh
Describes two balls in a frictionless shute.  How far does a ball at the bottom of the shute travel horizontally before it hits the ground?
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=4755

Back