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Scientific notation sprinkles Activity

by David Shaw, 7 April 2017 | 1 comments

In everyday life, most numbers we use are less than 1000. Sometimes scientists need to use MUCH larger numbers. Here’s an insight into how they do it.

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Maya numbers Activity

by David Shaw, 7 March 2017 | 19 comments

An excerpt from the Dresden Codex.

The numbers that we use are not the only way to write numbers. You might know how to count with tally marks, or read Roman numerals. But there are plenty of other ways to write numbers. This one comes from the Maya people.

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Counting by division Activity

by David Shaw, 5 December 2016 | 0 comments

An electric calculator

Let’s look at a few interesting patterns you can get by dividing. Some of these patterns need a lot of digits, so get the best calculator you can find.

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Count to a million Activity

by David Shaw, 16 September 2016 | 1 comments

Someone thinking, with a thought bubble counting up from 1.

How long would it take to count to one million? Well you could just start a stopwatch and get to counting, but here’s how to work out if you’ll be done by dinner time.

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Clever counting keeps fusion firing News

by David Shaw, 14 August 2014 | 2 comments

A twisty pink loop is contined within shiny rings.

The Australian National University recently renovated their fusion reactor. This magnetic marvel harnesses immense pressures and temperatures to replicate the reactions that power our Sun. And there’s a lot of maths that helps to keep the reactions going! A fusion donut Fusion reactors use hydrogen as fuel. Under intense heat and pressure, the electrons leave…

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A game of Nim Game

by David Shaw, 24 December 2013 | 1 comments

A single token on a table. Someone is reaching for it.

Grab some tokens and let’s go! Here’s a simple game to play with a friend.

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Counting gears Activity

by David Shaw, 4 December 2012 | 0 comments

Foam gears with numbers written on them

This crafty cog activity will get your mind spinning and help you learn more about how we count. Safety: This activity uses a craft knife. Ask an adult to help.

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Double helix cover

Double Helix

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