Number Bases and Logarithms
A list of resources linking the use of a Soroban Abacus to feel for number through students working with number bases leading to a better understanding of logarithms at A level.
- ALL
- STEM Club
- Textbook
- Group work
- Activity sheet
- External link
STEM Club
Algebra on the Planet Zog!
Teacher notes containing inspirational ideas as to how work with number bases and modular arithmetic can be incorporated into lessons.
Textbook
Base Arithmetic
The text book contains good exercises using binary arithmetic, adding, subtracting and multiplying binary numbers. There follows a further section exploring different number bases.
The activity sheet has nice actiities looking at binary codes and ASCII codes
Task Maths 2
Chapter 12 Painting By Numbers
page 84 of the book (p.85 of the pdf)
A nice exercise using modulo arithmetic to make coloured patterns. The activity leads on to investigating patterns made on Pascal's triangle when the triangle is formed using arithmetic to different moduli.
Group work
Activity sheet
External link
Land of the Rising Sums
Link to a BBC radio 4 programme in which Alex Bellos visits Japan to investigate why Asian cultures seem so much better at maths and numbers than many western countries and discovers the amazing arithmetical feats performed on the Soroban abacus
Soroban Cymru
A link to a website whose aim is to promote the use of the Soroban (Japanese abacus) in Wales, the rest of the UK, Ireland and the world.
An excellent website containing lots of ideas and resources for use in the classroom.
NRich modulo Arithmetic
A link to the NRich website containing teacher notes suggesting a method for introducing modular arithmetic using a clock face.
Modulo arithmetic calculator
A link to a website containing a modular arithmetic calculator where a variety of calculations can be made in different bases. Useful for students to use to explore modulo arithmetic or check their own calculations.
