The Golden Section
Speaker:
Jenny Gage
Curriculum links:
Maths and ... History
Age range:
14 to 16
Cost:
£195 for up to 40 students, more pro rata (cancellation policy)
Date:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Time:
10.00 - 15.00 (UK time)
Participating schools:
Pleckgate High School, Blackburn
Participating schools:
St Joseph's College, London
Participating schools:
Stocksbridge High School, Sheffield
Participating schools:
King Edward VI Five Ways School, Birmingham
Participating schools:
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Kent
Places still available?:
Waiting list (if enough schools submit the booking form for this conference, we will try to put it on twice) 
Resources to use during the day and/or for follow-up work
The Golden Section has a long history and many interesting properties which we will explore in this workshop. The astronomer, Johannes Kepler, said it was the most beautiful mathematical construction in the world. Mathematical areas we will cover include:
- accurate geometric construction
- its relationship to triangles, rectangles and pentagons
- quadratic equations and irrational numbers
- proof
Resources to use during the day
Equipment required:
- plain and squared paper
- accurate geometric instruments, including compasses and rulers, protractors would also be useful
- calculators
Worksheets, etc:
- Plan for the day
- Finding a value for phi
- Rectangles (everyone should have a copy)
- Trial and improvement spreadsheet for finding a value for phi (access to this while off camera required)
- Accurate construction (students do one or the other)
- Choice of projects(small groups should choose one of these to work on)
