Are you convinced?

Summary

1st videoconference: 9 June 2006, 1.15pm
2nd videoconference: 5 July 2006, 1.15pm
This conference is based on our two videoconference format and is aimed at 13-15 year-old secondary students.

You know that the angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees, and those of a quadrilateral to 360 degrees. But could you convince someone else?

In this conference, we will look at how mathematicians use geometric proof to convince themselves and others that a result which looks correct is in fact always true - or not, as the case may be.

It will be useful for students to have access to a Dynamic Geometry package for the follow-up project work for this conference. Geometers Sketchpad and Cabri are fine if available. However, it would be good if students could use a DG package on their own as well as in class. GeoGebra can be downloaded free, so that students can make use of it at home if they wish.

Schools already booked into this conference or on the waiting list

Slides used by Chris Sangwin
during the first VC together with additional slides to demonstrate examples of proofs.

Presentations given by students during the second videoconference

Project work

• Lines, angles, triangles and polygons. Constructions to investigate and prove.

Additional material

• Additional notes. Examples of how to sketch a construction and prove the result.
• Using GeoGebra. Help in getting going with GeoGebra
• GeoGebra constructions. Prepared GeoGebra files to help you investigate standard constructions
• Additional examples. Examples of proofs and additional exercises