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How to Solve a Magic Square

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How to Solve a Magic Square This is a magic square. The objective  of a magic square is to put a number in each of the boxes. (The numbers must have an arithmetic sequence pattern.) However, there is a catch. The sum of each row,  column, and diagonal must be the same. Now try to solve it. Solution: Solving the magic square can be pretty tough, but by knowing the right strategy you can make it a lot easier. This strategy will work on any magic square with an odd number of boxes on each side. I will demonstrate this strategy with a 3 by 3 magic square. First, you must put a 1 in the top middle square. Then, put the 2 a right diagonal above the 1. However, there is no box there, so put it at the bottom of the column it is above. Then, put the 3 a right diagonal above the 2. However, there is no box there, so put it at the far left of that row. Next, try to put the 4 a right diagonal above the 3. However, that spot is already occupied, so put the 4 one box under the...

Area of a Right Triangle

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           This is a right triangle. Why is it called a right triangle you may ask? This is because of the fact that the triangle contains a right angle (in the bottom left). To find this shape's area you cannot just multiply 3 units by 4 units by 5 units, which would give you 60 cubed units(which is definitely not the answer). One reason why this is wrong is because your answer comes in "cubed units", which you only use for 3D shapes, such as a cube. You want your answer to come out in "squared units", which you use for 2D shapes, such as a square.     However, you may have noticed that by flipping the triangle over the hypotenuse (the longest side), you will make a square with side lengths of 3 units and 4 units. This is very useful information for finding the area of the triangle.     As you can see, this rectangle is made up of two right angle triangles, each with side lengths of 3 units, 4 units, and 5 units. Because the ...

The area!!

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Have you ever wondered how people used to calculate the land they have. I have wondered this too. The way they did this is by area. So, do you know what area is? Area, basically means a place. But, you might be thinking, how could this be related to math. Well, I'm 99% sure you are right. Area is the calculation to figure out the measurement of a surface. So, let's get back to the people of the old times. How did they figure out area. Some might have not even been educated! The way they did it was simple and easy. You could try it too. First, make a 3 centimeters by 5 centimeters rectangle. Then, every centimeter draw a line going to exactly the opposite side. I recommend us ing a ruler. (Not exact measurements) Now, the most simple part is to count how many squares there are. Great Job! This is how people used to calculate how much land they had, or the area of their land. But, they probably had land a lot  larger than a 5 cm by 3 cm rectangle. I mean, you coul...

Discover PI

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My goal of teaching math is to "discover" math and not "memorize math".How many of you have heard of Pi? Not PIE as in food , I mean the mathematical Pi :-) Let's begin: How many of you know what a circle is ?  It has a radius ( R), Diameter ( D ) and Circumference ( C ).  Simple, right?: Now what is circumference and how do we calculate it? Circumference is basically the length of the circle. Calculating Circumference : Draw a perfect circle on piece of paper. Take a thread and place it around the circle. ( Use tape or thumbtacks to hold the thread intact). Now measure the thread length on a ruler. Genius!! You just found the circumference of a circle. ( let's say its called C1 with diameter D1) While you pat yourself, imagine you have measure a large, giant circle's circumference ( think of a truck tire). You can't easily measure it using our thread experiment, can you? Now here is when math kicks in. Repeat  your circle experime...