Rice Grains
Channel: Didattica della matematica di Ornella Robutti
Date: 2015-06-06

Which legend is linked to the origin of chess? Do you know the basic rule behind the game “2048”?
These two questions might seem totally disconnected...but you will discover that they have the same mathematical concept in common!!

Class Target: First/Second year high school

Conceptual Cores: Numbers

Aims: To introduce the concept of expressing natural numbers using exponential notation. To provide understanding of the exponential growth and the rapid speed at which it occurs. To demonstrate that abstract mathematical concepts can be applied to physical situations, and vice versa, that simple relations can be derived by observing multiple cases in the real world. To produce conjectures regarding the interpretation and explication of theories made in different contexts.

Prerequisite Skills: Equivalences.

Script writer and Director: Marta Pulvirenti
Camera, Editing and Animation: Gabriele Franchino
Translation Collaborators: Claudia Scandurra, Jimmy Tarr

Notes: This activity is suitable as an introduction to the study of exponents and powers for first year high school students. However, it could also be used with second year students, in order to strengthen their ability. It is extremely important that the story and its mathematical conclusions are shown in context with suitable visual aids, for example, placing the grains on a chess-board and weighing them.
For more info please visit: http://risorsedocentipon.indire.it/offerta_formativa/f/index.php?action=copertina_percorso&lms_id=209&id_ambiente=7

This video was produced for “Mathematics Teaching”, a course taught by Professor Ornella Robutti during the Master Degree in Mathematics of the University of Turin, academic year 2013/2014.