Resources
The Mathematics of Escalators on the London Underground
This resource, from Mathematics for Engineering Exemplars, shows the application of mathematics for the operation of escalators on the London underground. Students consider a variety of issues which include passenger numbers and flow, as well as carbon emissions, escalator speed and energy efficiency. Detailed...
The Mathematics of Framed Bridge Structures
In this resource students are to play the role of a graduate structural engineer for a major construction company, given the task of designing a steel bridge to carry a railway across a major motorway.
As part of the process learners have to analyse the proposed pin-jointed steel truss bridge by solving...
The Mathematics of Highway Design
In this resource students are to play the role of a graduate engineer working to build a two mile by-pass around a small rural village for a major contractor.
The task is to determine the alignment of the new road using information provided by the company that designed it. To do this learners will need to...
This item is one of over 25,000 physical resources available from the Resources Collection. The Archive Collection covers over 50 years of curriculum development in the STEM subjects. The Contemporary Collection includes the latest publications from UK educational publishers.
The Mathematics of Material Quality Control
In this resource students are asked to test and monitor the strength of concrete specimens brought in to a materials testing laboratory.
In this exercise learners will consider some of the statistical issues that are relevant to the testing and control of concrete quality based on the testing of concrete...
The Mathematics of Pumping Water
This resource, from Mathematics for Engineering Exemplars, shows the application of mathematics when designing a pumping system. The operating pressure of a pumping system can vary due to various factors, so all the relevant operating conditions need to be assessed to ensure the selected pump is capable of...
What do you have to consider when designing satellites? And what mathematics is involved?
This collection of resources aims to help students discover the answers to these questions and more. Each resource contains a range of student activities and teacher guidance, covering content most suitable for Key...
The Mathematics of Satellite Design - Communications Frame
Being able to develop cost-effective solutions is an important aspect of engineering and one that students investigate in this challenge. This challenge looks at the maximum volume of a satellite communications frame made from a fixed length of tubing. There is some guidance given to students through a series of...
The Mathematics of Satellite Design - Connecting Radiators
Connecting radiators
Radiators are used to keep the communications part of a satellite at an optimum temperature. This is necessary in order for the equipment to function correctly. Connecting the radiators together adds robustness to the system. In this challenge students investigate the...
The Mathematics of Satellite Design - Coolant tank, fuel tank and engine design
All the resources listed here are aimed at the age group 14 to 16, except for the "Space for Engine" resource.
Coolant tank design
Making efficient use of physical space and of materials is a central theme of many engineering problems. In this challenge students...