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The Geometry of Piles of Salt

This article delves into the fascinating world of salt piles and the mathematical concepts behind them. Through experiments and analysis, we explore the effects of pouring salt onto different shapes, including circles, triangles, and quadrilaterals. Discover the surprising mathematical phenomena that occur and engage in critical thinking to deepen your understanding.

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The Geometry of Piles of Salt

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  1. The Geometryof Piles of Salt Thinking Deeply About Simple Things. PCMI SSTP July 15, 2008 Troy Jones Willowcreek Middle School

  2. “Math Curse”, Jon Scieszka, Viking Press, 1995

  3. “The real voyage of discovery lies not in finding new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.” Marcel Proust, French novelist/philosopher 1871-1922

  4. Inspiration for seeingwith new eyes. • Romulo Lins Mathematics Professor State University of Rio Claro, Brazil PCMI Participant 2002

  5. Work on handout • Read and answer questions • You might want to work individually, but compare solutions and methods. • Take time to think about why the constructions yield the desired results • Stop at the end of page 6 and don’t look ahead (so you won’t ruin the surprise)

  6. Angle of Repose • The angle of repose is the slope angle of granular material in a state of rest, measured from horizontal • Table salt has an angle of repose of about 32°

  7. Circle • Predict what will happen when salt is poured on a circular shape. • Perform experiment • What mathematics justify or nullify your predictions? • What other mathematics can you find in the experiment?

  8. Salt Cone Modeled with Cabri 3D

  9. Triangle • Predict what will happen when salt is poured onto a triangular shape. • Perform experiment • What mathematics justify or nullify your predictions? • What other mathematics can you find in the experiment?

  10. Salt Tetrahedron Modeled with Cabri 3D

  11. Triangle Salt Ridges Modeled withGeometer’s Sketchpad

  12. Quadrilateral • Predict what will happen when salt is poured onto a quadrilateral shape. • Perform experiment • What mathematics justify or nullify your predictions? • What other mathematics can you find in the experiment?

  13. Quadrilateral Salt Ridges Modeled with Cabri 3D

  14. Quadrilateral Salt Ridges Modeled with Geometer’s Sketchpad

  15. Circle near edge • Predict what will happen when salt is poured near the edge of a surface with a hole cut near the edge. • Perform experiment • What mathematics justify or nullify your predictions? • What other mathematics can you find in the experiment?

  16. Parabolic Salt Ridges Modeled with Geometer’s Sketchpad

  17. Circle inside circle • Predict what will happen when salt is poured onto a circle with a hole cut in it. • Perform experiment • What mathematics justify or nullify your predictions? • What other mathematics can you find in the experiment?

  18. Elliptical Salt Ridge Modeled with Cabri 3D

  19. Elliptical Salt Ridge Modeled with Geometer’s Sketchpad

  20. Hyperbola • How would you model with salt an hyperbola ridge?. • Perform experiment • What mathematics justify or nullify your predictions? • What other mathematics can you find in the experiment?

  21. Hperbolic Salt Ridge Modeled with Geometer’s Sketchpad

  22. Hoberman Sphere Model of Elliptical Salt Ridge with Cabri 3D

  23. Elliptical Salt Ridge Modeled with Cones in Cabri 3D

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