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Experience math in a wonderland (INQUIRER.net)date posted: 2008-07-08 09:29:28
Queena Lee-Chua
MANILA, Philippines—A tricycle with square wheels cannot move, can it? Think again. Yes, the tricycle can move if the road is curved.
Examine one of the square wheels. The length of its side must be equal to that of a segment of the curved road. As the wheel moves forward, its side is always touching the curve. The center of the wheel should also be moving in a straight line.
Roller coaster loops
 A clothoid is a double spiral that links a straight line and a circular curve. It is used to design highways, railroads and roller coasters.
Old roller coasters used to have circular loops. We know that a circle has the same radius everywhere, on top and at the bottom. In this case, the coaster slows down at the top, so greater speeds are needed to complete the loop. Thus, the coaster tends to go too fast at the end of the loop, which may cause whiplash and other injuries.
Modern roller coasters use clothoid loops, which have a smaller radius on top and a larger radius at the bottom, making the ride smoother.
Clothoids are just one of many cool curves that make present-day travel much safer.
Pythagorean and Pachinko
The above concepts come alive in Math Wonderland, a museum of interactive models in Hokkaido, Japan. Math Wonderland is the brainchild of Tokai University professor Jin Akiyama, the host of a mathematics television show.
 Math principles are wonderfully explained in the book “A Day’s Adventure in Math Wonderland” authored by Akiyama and professor Mari-Jo Ruiz of Ateneo de Manila University. Ruiz is a Metrobank Outstanding Teacher award recipient, and I am happy to call her a mentor.
Recommended for middle to high schoolers, the book follows the visit to Wonderland of preteen students who play with the interactive exhibits. At the end of the visit, they learn to appreciate the beauty and applicability of math in our world.
Centre Sciences in Orleans, France has created several models to be exhibited around the world. Since the first show in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2004, “Experiencing Mathematics” has toured more than 40 cities in 20 countries.
More than 25 interactive displays on shapes, tiling, patterns, art, and many others are now at the Ateneo de Manila High School. Students can learn about the Pythagorean Theorem by manipulating pouring liquids in a special device. They can grasp the basic principles of probability by playing the pachinko, a cousin of the pinball machine. They can study symmetry by looking at patterns and tiles.
Math in daily life
 Aside from Ateneo and Tokai Universities, other sponsors of the exhibit include the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Mathematical Union, the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction, the International Center for Pure and Applied Mathematics, the European Mathematical Society, and several French universities and councils.
Centre Sciences sums it best: “Math is astonishing, interesting and useful, accessible to everyone, plays a large part in daily life, leads to many trades, and has an important role in our culture, development and progress.”
Catch the “Experiencing Math” exhibit at the ABS-CBN Room, Ateneo de Manila High School, till Aug. 22. Entrance fee is P50. Teachers pay P20, and public school students visit for free. Call Mr. Dizon or Mr. Fragrante at 4266001 local 6225 for details.
“A Day’s Adventure in Math Wonderland” (by Jin Akiyama and Mari-Jo Ruiz) is available at Librarian’s Center, 3rd floor, National Bookstore Superbranch, Cubao, Quezon City. The book can also be ordered from World Scientific at www.worldscientific.com/newsletter/maths/may08_index.html.
(Queena N. Lee-Chua is a professor of math and psychology at Ateneo de Manila University. Contact her at blessbook@yahoo.com)
Photos only in this article by Teya Sabado
Article linked to INQUIRER.net
First posted 00:49:52 (Mla time) July 08, 2008
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