Converting Units

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Proportions

I know I direct taught alot about proportions, but here's Sal Khan discussing proportions, so if you feel like you didn't understand, that's okay.  Just watch this video a few times to try to get it.

Watch this video first about why ratios are proportional:

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Video 2

Hope this helps you.

Ratios

Sal Khan explains ratios much like I would:

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Scale Factor Game

Here's a math game that is a mix of platformer and ratio finder.

http://www.mathplayground.com/ScaleFactorX/GameLoader.html

Hope you have fun!

Gear Ratio

Here's a fairly clear explanation for one reason why ratios are important in modern life.

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Scale Factor

Much of our modern world would not be possible without diagrams that are to scale.  The best way to think about this is to think about where you live or the school, and then think about how much paper it would take if the architect who designed it didn't use a scale.  If that doesn't prove why it's useful consider this.  If you're interested in the history of scale drawings, it's here.

Now you'll notice that ratios are in use.  If you need a refresher on ratios, you can look here.  You may also have some scale factor problems that are missing side problems.  If you need a refresher on that, you can check this video out.

Here's a great explanation of scale factor:

So our goal for understanding is to learn the scale factor formula, and then learn how to apply it.

So in the video, let's take the original image of Mr. Simpson and enlarge it by using a scale factor of 5.  Remember, this creates a ratio of 5:1 with the scale diagram being on top.  What would the new dimensions of the enlargement be?  Make sure to write this and the formula down in your math journal or a piece of paper so it can be recorded in your warm-up spiral.

Caine's Arcade: Shoebox Version

For our first project of the year, we will be creating shoebox versions of arcade games.  Our goal for this project is to create scale models of the arcade games so that we have prototypes (first versions) that are easily tested and shared.  Also a shoebox is more portable than the constructs we will be making for the Global Day of Play.

Thus, everyone should watch at least the first video of Caine's Arcade in order to know what we're talking about.  When you're done, come back here for the list of things needed.

Original Arcade Game Dimensions:  You need to specify a height, a width, and a length.  They need to be in inches, so you need to convert yards and feet to inches.  If the game has different geometry in places, divide the game into simpler geometry.  So if I was miniaturizing a skee-ball game, I would have the track as one shape, and then the scoring area as another.

Once I have the basic shapes, I would need to do some research (asking google is a good place to start) about the dimensions of the game.  If you use the word "dimensions" you should get clearer options.

Once you've done that, you also need Original Shoebox Dimensions, again in inches.  This will give you an idea of if your dimensions match, or if you need to make the shoebox arcade game dimensions smaller than the shoebox.  Trying to make your shoebox fit the arcade is a bad idea and will probably lead to a lot of extra work.  That said, I won't penalize anyone who does this, provided their scale factor is correct.

Finally, you need to prove that all your dimensions have the same scale factor.  If you don't know what that math term is, don't worry, I'll be explaining it before you have to turn this project in.

So to list it out, the things I'm expecting are:

Shoebox Arcade Game
A piece of paper with the following written on it:
Your heading, Shoebox Arcade Game as the title,
Name of Arcade Game picked,
Original Dimensions of the Arcade Game you picked,
Original Dimensions of the Shoebox,
Dimensions of the Game that fit on/in the shoebox,
Scale factor between the original and small game,
Additional materials used listed.

If you want to create a totally new game, see me and we'll discuss similar arcade games to use as dimensions.

This Game is Amazing!

Kerbal Space Program 101

Many of the concepts needed for rocketry require Calculus and Trigonometry, which both require a basic understanding of mathematics concepts in order to be clear. A strong understanding of ratios is also very important.