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This page is devoted to a few of the ideas
that we've had while we were ... having fun with maths.
Slide-together Models
We
have recently become quite entranced by the quality of the 3-D models
that can be made with the simplest of equipment - coloured card and a
pair of scissors.
This picture is a Great Rhombicuboctahedron, one of
the 13 Archimedean solids that can all be made with slide-togethers.
If you follow the link at the side, you can download
a basic slide-together kit ... and it's amazing what even a few
shapes can be transformed into.
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Sudokus and Excel
If there is any one thing that has really
caught on in the past year or so, it just has to be the Sudoku
puzzles. Did you know that Sudokus originated in Japan where
their script makes it impossible for them to enjoy crossword
puzzles! So they came up with a range of number-space puzzles
and of these, the Sudoku has become an international hit.
Our small contribution to the field is a
spreadsheet that lends a hand just when you're thinking that the
puzzle can't be solved. So if you're stuck on a Sudoku or on
Sudokus in general why not try out our Excel spreadsheet that is
sure to guide you to the solution.
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Hexagonia
In the Spring of 2003 (that's September here in Oz), we
ran a Naturally Mathematical Challenge on the theme of hexagons. The
outcome of the challenge was a big surprize to us ... and it was an even
greater pleasure to receive many exciting solutions to the questions
that we posed.
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| This was the start of an interest in what can be asked
about hexagonal patterns, about numbers arranged in hexagonal patterns
and about shapes that can be arranged to form hexagons. It seems that
there are two types of hexagonal pictures that can be explored. What's surprizing is that the results for the two
types are not at all similar!
As a result of continuing investigations, we have put
together a collection of facts and problems based on the hexagon ... and
we hope that you have a moment to explore what we have found out. Click
here to begin!
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