Both my boys are maths geeks. They have loved numbers and maths since they were small and are great with mental maths. They have also always loved art and crafts, but the older they get (they are nine and ten) they do less art and I want to encourage them. This is where maths and art collide – parabolics.
At first glance maths and art might appear to be worlds apart, but if you really look closer you will see that maths is full of patterns and these patterns can be complex, decorative and beautiful. Creating a parabolic is a great way to see how maths and art connect.
Parabolic Curves
Using art to explain maths concepts is also a great way to encourage creative people to love maths too, as well as the other way round.
Maxi loved the fact that he could make a curve from straight lines!
We started with the simplest curve. If you have younger children then you could use less numbers.
It really is as simple as drawing lines from number 1 on the x axcess to number 1 on the y axis and then doing the same for all the numbers.
Once you have mastered drawing with the numbers then you can do it without the numbers on the top of the page. It is also great fun to colour it in once you have drawn it.
As you can see Maxi really enjoyed drawing all the graphs and now it was time for the fun part colouring in. We discussed the fact that the curve was an optical illusion and that it also gave the impression of 3 dimensions too. It is a great way of introducing perspective into the conversation too.
Download your free parabolic graph templates
********** click here for template 1 **********
********** click here for template 2 **********
********** click here for template 3 **********
As you can see you can create beautiful artwork from the graphs that we produced.
It has been really interested doing art with the boys and linking it to maths. It has been so long since I used my brain in this way and it reminded me of an article I had seen about using your brain in order to keep it sharp. I often leave the math to MadDad (he is an accountant) even though I trained as an accountant too. I think that he finds it easier as his brain is already in number mode, whilst mine tends to be in creative and word mode!
I have resolved that I am not going to take the easy option anymore and just get him to help the boys, but I am going to rise to the challenge and ensure that I keep up with them and keep learning and exercising the muscle that is my brain.
This is part of the cool maths for cool kids series
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How cool are these – I love the way you have married mathematics and art! Peakles loves them and I think we will download the free printables to use when we are away on holiday! Thank you for joining in with the #CoolMaths4CoolKids series
I am a massive maths fan so this was such a great post to see! I love how maths is so visual in so many ways and often very unexpectedly!
I used to love doing parabolic curves as a child! I didn’t know that was what they were called though:-)
never done these before, must give them a try
I used to love drawing these at school there was something relaxing about it. x
I absolutely love these! I either didn’t do these at school or my memory has failed me! Whatever, as these may be a little challenging for my son, I may have to have a go myself! Thanks
I didnt get then and still don’t know ha…. Math was not my strongpoint x
I remember parabolic curves! I’ll have to show these to my stepsons over the summer hols. Great printouts, I used to enjoy maths at school.
I remember doing these at school except we had to stitch them. Great craft idea and a fab way of combining arts and science x
I love this idea – not sure if Isaac is too young but will give it a go
Oh I used to love doing parabolic curves at school, could never remember what they were called though. What a wonderful idea, they look great too 🙂
Ooh am going to print those off for my 11 year old, I think he will find them intriguing!
wow memory flash back for sure i remember these so much fun
These are so cool!! My oldest son would absolutely love these…will be giving them a go, thank you!
Your Commentsha i remember doing this at school when i was small bet my son would love it!