Topological Puzzles

Add to list Go to activity
In this activity, learners construct three math puzzles out of simple materials like wood, string, and Styrofoam. The first two puzzles, called "Remove the Loop" and "Two Washers," are examples of topology, an area of math about how geometric figures are different and similar. The third puzzle, "Towers of Hanoi," uses a mathematical tool called an algorithm and is also a good example of an exponential function. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Game, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 18 in. String, fat (3/16 flexible chord works well)
  • 2 ft. String, thin (a bit thicker than kite string)
  • 4 in. 1x2, cut into two 2 in. pieces
  • 4 in. 2x2
  • 4 in. Dowel, 1/4 in. diameter
  • 6 in. 1x2
  • 3 ft. String, fat (3/16 in. flexible chord works well. Larger than 3/16 in. requires a large hole in the center.)
  • 2 Washers, 3/8 in.
  • 8 in. 1x2
  • 1 Styrofoam dinner plate
  • 9 in. Dowel, 1/4 in. diameter
  • Stiff paper, like file folders
  • Drill
  • Drill platform
  • 15/64 in. bit, 19/64 in. bit, 1/2 in. bit
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood saws
  • Clamps
  • Circle patterns

Keywords

Subjects

  • Mathematics
    • Algebra
      • Patterns
    • Geometry
    • Number and Operations
      • Exponents
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Problem Solving

Informal Categories

  • Games
  • Toys

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop, 2011