10 Math Applications for iPod Touch

Posted by David Wetzel

iPod Touch Math Apps

Math applications (apps) for iPod Touch offer teachers an excellent way to help focus students in math classes.

Although many Math Apps are loaded with ads and other distracting information, I have found several that are ad free.

Math iPod Touch Apps

Math Tutor Lite - (free) offers a better and fun way for students to learn their math skills. Starts with simple math operations and progresses through math operations that are challenging.

ePuzzle - (free) is a classic handheld number problem solving game where the objective is to place the number blocks in the numerical order by sliding them around the game board. Features include:

• Three different levels of games.
• Maintains scores for the best timings and the number of moves.
• Supports different colors scheme for the game board.

ArithmeTick - Math Flashcards - (free) the objective is to solve as many problems as possible before time runs out. Students are awarded up to 10 points and additional time for each correct answer. Offers four difficulty levels and is perfect for math review.

Graphing Calculator - ($0.99) this app an iPod touch into an intuitive high-resolution function plotter and scientific calculator. Features include the following:

• Includes a powerful, yet easy to use scientific calculator.
• Quickly plot and trace multiple equations on the same graph.
• Custom keyboard to speed up entering in equations.
• Pinch to zoom and drag/slide for scrolling the graph in real time.
• The graph view supports portrait and landscape modes.
• Take screen shots, and e-mail graphs to yourself.
• Evaluate your graphs at any x value using the calculator screen.
• Find the exact (x,y) coordinates for roots and intersections using the trace mode.
• Supports graphing polar and parametric equations.
• Currently supports the following functions: log, log2, log10, ln, exp, sin, cos, tan, asin, acos, atan, sinh, cosh, tanh, degrees to radians, radians to degrees, absolute value, square root, ceiling, floor and mod.

iFormulas - (free) a clean, simple, easy to use mathematical formula application. Provides basics to survive your Algebra, Calculus, Geometry or Trigonometry class.

It does not give answers, but provides an easy navigational guide. Over 330 different formulas, definitions, laws, properties, etc.

Pi Cubed Lite - (free) a visual math application designed from the ground up for a touch-based interface. Unlike traditional calculators, Pi Cubed lets students construct mathematical expressions, using an interactive menu system, which are then typeset and evaluated instantly.

The use of the entire screen, combined with the capability to lay out equations as they would be written on a piece of paper, makes even complex calculations easy to follow.

Common touch gestures, like pinch-zooming and touch-based panning, enhance the entry and editing process.

A diverse range of mathematical operations are supported, including logarithms, trigonometric functions, arbitrary roots, exponents, and factorials.

Number Line - (free) helps students learn about fractions, decimals, and percents by ordering equivalent fractions, decimals, and percents on a number line.

The app features multiple levels where the player must drag circles with either a percent, decimal or fraction onto a number line in the correct sequence.

Fraction Factory - (free) students use their math skills to place fractions into their correct positions on a number line.

Fraction Factory is designed to enhance the student’s ability to find and order equivalent fractions and decimals on a number line. In addition, Fraction Factory targets fraction computation.

Freddy Fraction - (free) is an alien who needs student help! He was exploring a strange, foreign planet when he realized he couldn’t remember where he parked his spaceship…Freddy is lost! Help Freddy find his way back home safely using fractions, decimals, and percentages to lead him back to his spaceship!

Basic Math - (free) uses a drill-and-practice instructional strategy. Similar to memorization, such a strategy presents the tasks to be completed repetitively to build up the foundation skills for more meaningful learning in the future. The app is designed for students in grades 3 - 6.

Exercises cover basic mathematical skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Resource

All are available on iTunes and look forward to others sharing math apps they find useful in the classroom.

Related Information

You may also be interested in 10 Science iPod Touch Applications for the Classroom

Pattern Blocks: Learning Fractions with Manipulatives

Posted by David Wetzel

Pattern blocks are excellent manipulatives for assisting students with developing a better understanding and learning fractions.

Pattern Blocks and Fractions Worksheet

Allow students to use pattern blocks to determine the fraction represented by each shape’s shaded area.

Pattern Blocks Worksheet

Number Classifications

Posted by David Wetzel

Number Classifications

We use numbers everyday of our lifes. Based on their characteristics, they are classified in groups.

Real Numbers – All kinds of numbers that you usually think of – from bus route numbers, to your weight, to pi and even the square root of pi! In short almost everything!!

Imaginary Numbers – Have you ever tried finding the square root of -1? If you haven’t, try it on your calculator. It might show an error (if it is a dumb calc) or it might show an ‘i’. That little ‘i’ is called an imaginary number. In short square roots of negative numbers make imaginary numbers.

Complex Numbers – It’s rather simple! Make a combination of Real and Imaginary numbers and voila! You get a Complex number. Stuff like 3+2i or 3/4i make up complex
numbers. Just think of it when you mix a real number with an imaginary one, things do get a bit complex!

Rational Numbers – Any number that can be written as a fraction is a rational number. So numbers like ½, ¾, even 22/7 and all integers are also rational numbers.

Irrational Numbers – Simply the opposite of rational numbers i.e. numbers that cannot be written as fraction, like square roots of prime numbers, the golden ratio, the real value
of pi (22/7 is a mere approximation not the real value of pi) are irrational numbers Integers – Any number that is not a fraction and does not have a tail after the decimal point is an integer. This includes both negative as well as positive numbers as well as zero.

Fractions – Numbers that are expressed in a ratio are called fractions. This classification is based on the number arrangement and not the number value. Remember that even
integers can be expressed as fractions – 3 = 6/2 so 6/2 is a fraction but 3 is not.

Proper Fractions – Whenever the value of the numerator in a fraction is less than the value of the denominator, it is called a proper fraction. i.e. it’s bottom heavy.

Improper Fractions - Whenever the value of the denominator in a fraction is less than the value of the numerator, it is called a proper fraction. i.e. it’s top heavy.

Mixed Fractions – All improper fractions can be converted into an integer with a proper fraction. This combination of an integer with a proper fraction is called a mixed fraction.

Natural Numbers – All positive integers (not including the zero) are Natural numbers. Simply put, whatever you can count in Nature uses a natural number.

Whole Numbers – All positive integers inclusive of the zero are Whole numbers. Not a big deal different from Natural numbers.

Even Numbers – All integers that end with a 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 (including the numbers 0, 2, 4, 6 & 8 themselves) are even numbers. Note that ‘0’ itself is an even number. Also note
that negative numbers can also be even so long as they can be integrally divided by 2.

Odd Numbers – All integers that are not even numbers are odd number.

Prime Numbers - A natural number, more than one, which has exactly two distinct natural number divisors: 1 and itself - is called a Prime number. There can be infinite
prime numbers.

Composite Numbers – A positive integer which has a positive divisor other than one or itself is a composite number. In other words, all numbers that are not prime are
composite.

Source

Adapted from LazyMaths