A square-based dotted grid is given. An initial investigation involved drawing triangles on the grid and determining the area, number of dots on the perimeter, and number of dots enclosed by...

The guide Pictorial representation, from the Nuffield Mathematics Project, was designed to help teachers of students between the ages of 5 and 10. The guide deals with graphical representation in its many aspects. It contains helpful notes for the teachers as well as ideas and examples of students’ work.

A Mathematics Matters case study looking at how mathematical software supports new developments in imaging technology. Mathematical image processing techniques make it possible for us to capture, transmit and store photographs and video. They also let us restore noisy or damaged images and extract useful...

This resource from Siemens encourages students to think about medical diagnosis and how information can assist the doctor in being effective and accurate. Students are asked to suggest ideas about the characteristics of a useful image to support a medical diagnosis. They then look at the properties of sound, how...

Scientists at the University of Oxford are developing and improving computer programs that can learn. Often it is useful to feed computer programs a series of images and to get the computer to identify or sort them in some way, but how do computers create or store...

This activity helps learners become aware of the importance of maths in their vocational area and use mathematical language to describe aspects of a job role. Learners may need support to use appropriate mathematical vocabulary and may require a list or glossary of mathematical terms relevant to their vocational...

This activity is a set of five puzzles relating to pie charts. The first three puzzles can be solved without the use of algebra. Each of the remaining two puzzles require students to write then solve a linear equation involving fractions. Students who complete the five puzzles are encouraged to write similar...

The first sheet of this excel file shows a frequency table for up to four different colours. Sometimes the angle 359⁰ or 361⁰ is shown in the table rather than 360⁰ and this can be used to aid discussion about rounding. Students need to calculate the angles so that a...

In this activity, from the Institution of Engineering and technology, students work in groups to investigate how Piezoelectric materials can be used in a variety of different ways. For the development element of the project, students propose an innovative application...

This problem uses number bases. Farmers identify a pig by using notches in different parts of the pig’s ears. Pictures of four pigs are presented and the challenge is to work out the code. A final challenge is to represent a given number. This resource is suitable for Key Stage 3.

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A simulation from Science upd8 that looks at how a viral disease spreads in a model population (the school). It is interactive, relevant and involves large numbers of students. There is the potential for family involvement. The simulation continues for around 5 days, after which students can use ICT to analyse the...

The simple pinball machine in this activity is made from a cardboard box, with ice lolly sticks as the flippers. It provides a great opportunity to explore the science of forces and motion. Game on!

Learning outcomes:

• Investigate simple mechanisms and Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Use...

In this activity students make a pinhole camera and use it to take a photograph which is then developed using 'kitchen' chemicals to make a developing solution.

Resources required:

* Card to make pinhole camera, 'kitchen' chemicals to make the developing solution and bought...

This resource provides the instructions for making a pinhole camera, taking a photograph and developing the photos in a dark room.