Happy New Year!
This month’s theme is optimising - rarely a moment goes by without us
trying to optimise our efforts, chances or time. Today, as nearly
everyday, Jenny woke up and put the kettle on, judging how much water to
use to ensure that it is just boiling as she got out of the shower!! Sad
but true. Then she decided how late she could leave the house and still
catch the train...
The article on high jumping and pole vaulting
(<http://www.nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=2742&part=index&refpa
ge=monthindex.php>) is a very revealing description of optimisation and in
addition, some excellent problems can be found this month on NRICH,
including:
negotiating the cheapest route
(<http://www.nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=2648&part=index&refpa
ge=monthindex.php>),
to making the most of the post
(<http://www.nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=2650&part=index&refpa
ge=monthindex.php>),
and on to seeing how high up the wall you can reach
(<http://www.nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=2637&part=index&refpa
ge=monthindex.php>).
Then of course there is always finding the best strategy to win a game
(<http://www.nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=2656&part=index&refpa
ge=monthindex.php>). This month we also return to Oware
(<http://www.nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=2747&part=index&refpa
ge=monthindex.php>) to investigate whether the "best" variations of a game
become the ones that are remembered.
The NRICH team is running several courses in Cambridge and at Bletchley
Park this term, featuring mathematical problem solving and generalising and
proof. Please see the website for more information at
<http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=2688>.
With best wishes for the coming year from the NRICH Team.
Liz Pumfrey
NRICH Primary Teacher Research Associate
University of Cambridge Centre for Mathematical Sciences
Wilberforce Road
Cambridge
CB3 0WA
01223 764246
www.nrich.maths.org
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