Maths in Art
Geometry is an area of the curriculum which I find most interesting. The properties of shapes and the magic of construction is fascinating. I find that some students are enthused at being able to produce wonderful patterns based upon the geometrical properties of shapes. It is really satisfying, especially for students who have little artistic ability to be able to produce such pleasing patterns. I have created this list of resources to provide inspiration for some geometrically artistic lessons.
Maths and Art
Three videos showing how to use mathematics to create patterns.
Curves of pursuit – This video demonstrates how to construct curves of pursuit
Sequence designs – Beginning with the sequence of square numbers, a new sequence is generated by only using the unit digits of the original number sequence. This new sequence is then used to draw patterns on squared paper.
Random art – Dice are used to generate coordinates which are plotted on a set of simple axes.
Drawing
This SMILE resource contains two packs of games, investigations, worksheets and practical activities supporting the teaching and learning of activities involving drawing, from investigating growing patterns to making ellipses by folding.
Maths in Art
This resource from Cre8ate maths investigates the maths found in work by two artists.
An artistic puzzle uses a sculpture by Sol LeWitt entitled ‘123454321’ which is in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and challenges students to calculate the number of blocks in different aspects of the sculpture.
Peter Lowe’s work forms the basis for Squares and rectangles. Statements from the author set out the puzzle which is based on the triangle numbers. There is a helpsheet which gives a visual image of the formula for the triangle numbers and a spreadsheet, which is designed to be used in a whole class discussion, provides a template for generating square and triangle numbers for students to compare.
Practical Geometry
These two books from the Shell Centre are part of the Extended Tasks for GCSE Mathematics support material produced for students as they pursued practical geometry tasks within any mathematics scheme.
Construct it right
The lead task is called Get drawing is based on a real life situation and provides a rich and tractable environment for practical geometry including isometric drawing, perspective and surveying
Pack it in
The lead task is Anyone for tennis, which involves students in using their mathematics to help them to decide upon packaging for tennis balls.
Wallpaper Patterns
Carom Maths provides this resource for teachers and students of A Level mathematics.
Wallpaper patterns all have one thing in common; they are all produced by repeating a single fundamental tile by translation, that one basic rule gives rise to a range of possible patterns, each with their distinctive symmetries
