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Hexagonia

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.

 

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.

 

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.
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!

 

Natural Maths : Ph 07 5533 2916 : Fax 07 5533 7244 : nmaths@naturalmaths.com.au