Posts

Showing posts from December, 2011

Improve math skills of your kids - Learn step-by-step arithmetic from Math games

Math: Unknown - Step-by-step math calculation game for iOS.


Math: Unknown is much more than a math game. It is a step-by-step math calculation game which will teach users how to calculate in the correct order rather than just asking only the final calculated results.

The app consists of four basic arithmetic operations which are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In order to get started, users who are new to arithmetic can learn from animated calculation guides showing step-by-step procedures of solving each type of operation. It is also helpful for experienced users as a quick reference.

Generally, addition and subtraction may be difficult for users who just start learning math especially when questions require carrying or borrowing (also called regrouping). The app helps users to visualize the process of carrying and borrowing in the way it will be done on paper. Once users understand how these operations work, they are ready to learn multiplication and division.

For most students, division is considered as the most difficult arithmetic operation to solve. It is a common area of struggle since it requires prior knowledge of both multiplication and subtraction. To help users understand division, the app uses long division to teach all calculation procedures. Relevant multiplication table will be shown beside the question. Users will have to pick a number from the table which go into the dividend. Multiplication of selected number and divisor is automatically calculated, but the users have to do subtraction and drop down the next digit themselves. Learning whole calculation processes will make them master it in no time.

Math: Unknown is a helpful app for students who seriously want to improve arithmetic calculation skills.

Column Design (Part 5)

Image
From [ Column Design (Part 4) ], the Euler formula has been introduced. But when the slenderness ratio KL/r is less than the transition value Cc, then column is short, and the J.B. Johnson formula should be used. If we use Euler formula for the short column, it would predict too high critical load than it really is. The J.B. Johnson formula is as follows: From the J.B. Johnson formula we can see that the critical load for the short column is affected by the strength of the material (Sy) in addition to its stiffness (E). But for the long column as Euler formula is used, the strength of material (Sy) is not a factor for the critical load. Let's see how we can make the excel file to help calculate critical load for both short and long columns in the next post .