Pocket Pythagoras with cubes (6/8/10)

thingiverse

Beside arc functions, the Pythagorean Theorem stands out as one of the most essential mathematical foundations that frequently appears even in everyday life calculations again and again.. I stumbled upon the featured item "Pythagorean Theorem" via the chain system http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:245202 which is really impressive! However, I couldn't find a cubes version with a compact size and a case that keeps all components organized together. Some students might grasp Pythagoras more quickly through this method. So, I created this for the MakerEdChallenge. Print Settings Notes: Don't overuse material flow, or puzzle parts won't fit properly. Try starting with center and 6x6 plate first.. Validate right table distance for 1st row print. If too low, cubes will have a bulge after printing and need to be slid smoothly afterwards. Post-Printing Fitting: If puzzle parts don't fit together correctly, use a sharp knife to scrape grooves smooth on the connecting surfaces. Custom Section Objectives: Students want to learn theorems as easily as possible, preferably visually and in a practical context. Audiences: Secondary school mathematics Preparation: Students should be familiar with solving terms, some trigonometry, and understanding what a square root is about.. Steps: Remove the center plate from the cover to unlock the box. Hold the cover horizontally upside down to carefully slide it off. The cubes are retained in the case by dividing plates until they are unpacked. Take puzzle elements from the mount and place them on the center part. Have students move all cubes either from hypotenuse to cathetus, or vice versa to realize that the same size of hypotenuse and sum of cathetus surfaces remain unchanged. Note that all cubes have a chamfer at one side that must be placed on the plate. Do the calculation: 10x10 = 100 = 6x6 + 8x8 = 36 + 64 After changing all cube positions once, students or teachers might not want to return them back. So, the cover and mount are designed to keep all cubes in place on whatever plate they're placed. Slide big plates into the mount (biggest below to smallest top) and put everything together carefully back into the cover hull. Notice that all cubes fit perfectly in their fields, or the divider will collide and the cover won't close properly. The center is also used as a lock and to declare the box's content when packed. Results: Students will understand Pythagorean theorem on a visual level.