AU2016203971A1

AU2016203971A1 - Rotational Mathematical Teaching Aid

Info

Publication number: AU2016203971A1
Application number: AU2016203971A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mitchell James DONALDSON; Dean Luke PINCHEN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-06-12
Filing date: 2016-06-14
Publication date: 2017-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-14
Also published as: AU2016203971B2

Abstract

A rotational mathematics teaching aid; the aid comprising a number of nestable cups axially aligned when assembled and rotatable relative to each other; each cup including at least a cylindrical outer collar divided into ten facets; the facets displaying digits from zero to nine. (0

Description

1 2016203971 14 Jun2016

ROTATIONAL MATHEMATICAL TEACHING AID

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to educational teaching resources and, more particularly to aids in the teaching of mathematics.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates to a teaching resource which allows for the explicit teaching and interactive learning of Place Value in the decimal, base-ten number system.

[0003] Students, particularly young students are known to have difficulty grasping the value significance of digit placement in a number string. That the same digit for example can mean orders of magnitude differences in value depending on its position only, can be a difficult concept to convey.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages or provide a useful alternative.

Notes [0005] thereof) sense of sense of

The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations is used in this specification in the inclusive "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive "consisting only of".

[0006] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part 2 2016203971 14 Jun2016 of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The invention demonstrates that the value of the digit varies according to its place in the number. This demonstration is represented by the inherent value of the numbers and by the relative size of the pieces comprising the device of the invention.

[0008] An embedded knowledge of the concept of place value is an intrinsic part of the base-ten (decimal) number system. Learners must identify that the value of an individual digit alters depending on its position within the larger number.

[0009] Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided an education aid which comprises of a series of individual 'cups' of various sizes which can be used as freestanding resources and as a unit assembled together .

[00010] Preferably, each cup has on its outer collar ten digits, from 0-9.

[00011] Preferably, these cups when assembled together are free to rotate about one another to allow students to count by the various place value increments.

[00012] In further broad form of the invention, there is provided a rotational mathematics teaching aid; the aid comprising a number of nestable cups axially aligned when assembled and rotatable relative to each other; each cup 3 2016203971 14 Jun2016 including at least a cylindrical outer collar divided into ten facets; the facets displaying digits from zero to nine.

[00013] Preferably, digits of an outer collar of a first of the nestable cups when assembled represent unit values of the decimal or base-ten number system.

[00014] Preferably, digits of each next adjoining outer collar represent values incremented by an order of magnitude in the decimal or base—ten number system.

[00015] Preferably, each nestable cup with digits representing an incremented order of magnitude includes a generally cylindrical extension portion extending from the outer collar; the length of the extension portion representative of the order of magnitude of the digits on the outer collar.

[00016] Preferably, each successive extension portion of each cup representing an incremented order of magnitude increases in length and decreases in diameter.

[00017] Preferably, each extension portion is divided into facets; each facet axially aligned with the facets of the corresponding outer collar; each facet of the extension portion displaying one or more zeros indicative of the incremented order of magnitude of the digits of the outer collar .

[00018] Preferably, a bore of each of the extension portions of each outer collar incremented in value by an order of magnitude, includes curved projecting structures extending from the bore; the curved projecting structures 4 2016203971 14 Jun2016 having an internal diameter equal to that of the bore; adjoining respective extension portions and bores are sized to assemble as close sliding fits.

[00019] Preferably, inner surfaces proximate outer rims of the curved projecting structures are provided with inwardly projecting lugs; the inwardly projecting lugs aligning axially and radially with dimples provided in surfaces of inserted cylindrical extension portions when adjoining cups are assembled together.

[00020] Preferably, flexibility of the curved projecting structures allow the lugs and dimples to act as detents, biasing adjoining collars to align facet to facet when assembled together.

[00021] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of teaching position value of digits in a decimal base-ten number system; the method including a rotational mathematics teaching aid comprising a number of nestable cups; the method including - associating digits zero to nine arranged around an outer collar of a first cup of the teaching aid with units in the decimal base-ten number system, - associating digits zero to nine arranged around successive outer collars of adjoining cups of the teaching aid with increasing incremented orders of magnitude in value .

[00022] Preferably, an incremented order of magnitude of value of digits of each successive outer collar is indicated by one or more zeros corresponding to the order 5 2016203971 14 Jun2016 of magnitude; the one or more zeros displayed on extension portions extending from the outer collar and aligned with the digits of the outer collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00023] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein : [00024] Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a mathematical teaching aid according to the invention, [00025] Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the teaching aid of figure 1 with elements rotated to show a different arrangement of digits, [00026] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the teaching aid of figures 1 and 2 partially disassembled, [00027] Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the rotational elements of the teaching aid of figures 1 to 3, [00028] Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view of the rotational elements of the teaching aid. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment [00029] With reference to figures 1 to 3, the mathematical teaching aid 10 according to the invention is comprised of a number of nestable cups 12, 14, 16 and 18 which may be rotated relative to each other when assembled together and axially aligned. Although only four cups are illustrated, it will be understood that the principles of the teaching aid 10 may be applied to more than four cups.

[00030] Each of the cups 14, 16 and 18 is formed of an outer lip or collar and an extension portion 14A, 16A and 18A respectively, while cup 12 comprises an end cap with an 6 2016203971 14 Jun2016 outer collar only. The outer collar of each of the cups 12 to 18 is divided into ten equal facets 20, with the facets on each collar numbered from zero to nine. This allows the series of collars of the cups 12 to 18, when assembled as in the illustrated embodiment of figures 1 and 2, to form sets of four digit numbers, with the digits on the outermost collar 12 designating units, collar 14 designating tens, collar 16 hundreds and collar 18 thousands. Thus each successive adjoining outer collar displays digits incremented by an order of magnitude in value in the decimal base-ten number system.

[00031] The extension portions 14A, 16A and 18A of the cups 14, 16 and 18, are further provided with zero digits according to their relative positions in the assembly to indicate the actual value of each digit on the outer collar. Thus it can be seen that the zero associated with each of the digits 1 to 9 of cup 14, indicate the values 10 through 90. Likewise the pairs of zeros associated with each of the digits 1 to 9 on the collar of cup 16, indicate the values 100 through 900, while those of cup 18 indicate values 1000 through 9000.

[00032] The teaching aid 10 may thus be used to instruct numeracy to students of the base-ten number system by helping them to identify each collar with its place value in the decimal number system. From the assembled condition illustrated in Figure 1, the cups may be slid apart to reveal the actual value of a selected digit on the outer collar of a cup.

[00033] The digits may be applied to the collars and extension portions in any suitable manner, including by transfer, painting as well as embossing, as is the case in the example illustrated in the drawings. Preferably the 7 2016203971 14 Jun2016 cups are injection moulded of a suitable polymer.

Preferably also, the cups are moulded in distinguishing, attractive bright colours.

[00034] As can best be seen from figures 3 and 5, each of cups 14, 16 and 18 includes a cylindrical projecting extension portion 14A, 16A and 18A, each of which, progressing from cup 14 through 18, is of decreasing diameter but of increasing length, with the extension portion of cup 18 the longest and smallest in diameter, and that of cup 14 the shortest in length but largest in diameter. (The extension portion of cup 12 serves as a closing cap only.) Thus on assembly, as shown in figure 3, the extending element 18A of cup 18 is nested in the bore of cup 16, that of cup 16 into the bore of cup 14 and that of cup 14 into the bore of cup 12. Adjoining respective extending elements and bores are sized to assemble as close sliding fits.

[00035] In the preferred arrangement of the invention, the outer collars of the cups are numbered so that the collar of the shortest cup, that is the collar of cup 12 is at the right hand end of the device when assembled as shown in figures 1 and 2, and represents units, with the next collar of cup 14 with the longer extending element 14A representing the tens, the collar of cup 16 the hundreds and the collar of cup 18 the thousands in a number string. Thus a learner using the teaching aid 10 will readily associate the lowest value digits with the smallest of the cups, progressing to the largest values associated with the longer extending element 18A of the largest cup 18. In this schema, cup 12 may be named the 'units/ones' cup, progressing through cup 14 as the 'tens' cup, cup 16 as the 'hundreds' cup and cup 18 as the 'thousands' cup. - 8 - 2016203971 14 Jun2016 [00036] It will be noted that due to the arrangements of increasing lengths but decreasing diameters of the extension portions of cups 14 through 18, the cups can only be assembled in one way, thus ensuring that the orders of magnitude represented by the assembled cups is always correct.

[00037] Referring now to figure 4, the collar of which is representative of the collars of each of the cups 12 to 16, it can be seen that the bore 24 of each of the collars 12, 14 and 16, (though not the end collar 18) includes curved projecting structures 26 and 28, extending from the bore 24 and having the same internal diameter as that of the bore 24. On the inner surface, and at the outer rims of the structures 26 and 28, are provided inwardly projecting lugs 30, which when adjoining cups are assembled together, align axially and radially with dimples 32 (see figure 5) which are provided in the surfaces of the cylindrical extension portions 14A, 16A and 18A of each of cups 14, 16 and 18.

[00038] These dimples 30 coincide or align with the divisions between the facets 20 which carry the digits on the collars. Flexibility of the curved projecting structures 26 and 28 allow the lugs 30 and dimples 32 to act as detents, biasing the adjoining collars to align facet to facet.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[00039] The teaching aid of the invention provides for a tactile, visible representation of the principles of the base-ten or decimal number system. The relative rotation of the elements allows for a user or instructor to make up any 2016203971 14 Jun2016 9 combination of strings of digits for interpretation by a student.

Claims

1. A rotational mathematics teaching aid; the aid comprising a number of nestable cups axially aligned when assembled and rotatable relative to each other; each cup including at least a cylindrical outer collar divided into ten facets; the facets displaying digits from zero to nine.

2. The teaching aid of claim 1 wherein digits of an outer collar of a first of the nestable cups when assembled represent unit values of the decimal or base-ten number system.

3. The teaching aid of claim 1 or 2 wherein digits of each next adjoining outer collar represent values incremented by an order of magnitude in the decimal or base-ten number system.

4. The teaching aid of any one of claim 1 to 3 wherein each nestable cup with digits representing an incremented order of magnitude includes a generally cylindrical extension portion extending from the outer collar; the length of the extension portion representative of the order of magnitude of the digits on the outer collar.

5. The teaching aid of claim 4 wherein each successive extension portion of each cup representing an incremented order of magnitude increases in length and decreases in diameter.

6. The teaching aid of claim 4 or 5 wherein each extension portion is divided into facets; each facet axially aligned with the facets of the corresponding outer collar; each facet of the extension portion displaying one or more zeros indicative of the incremented order of magnitude of the digits of the outer collar.

7. The teaching aid of any previous claim wherein a bore of each of the extension portions of each outer collar incremented in value by an order of magnitude, includes curved projecting structures extending from the bore; the curved projecting structures having an internal diameter equal to that of the bore; adjoining respective extension portions and bores are sized to assemble as close sliding fits.

8. The teaching aid of claim 7 wherein inner surfaces proximate outer rims of the curved projecting structures are provided with inwardly projecting lugs; the inwardly projecting lugs aligning axially and radially with dimples provided in surfaces of inserted cylindrical extension portions when adjoining cups are assembled together.

9. The teaching aid of claim 8 wherein flexibility of the curved projecting structures allow the lugs and dimples to act as detents, biasing adjoining collars to align facet to facet when assembled together.

10. A method of teaching position value of digits in a decimal base-ten number system; the method including a rotational mathematics teaching aid comprising a number of nestable cups; the method including - associating digits zero to nine arranged around an outer collar of a first cup of the teaching aid with units in the decimal base-ten number system, - associating digits zero to nine arranged around successive outer collars of adjoining cups of the teaching aid with increasing incremented orders of magnitude in value.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein an incremented order of magnitude of value of digits of each successive outer collar is indicated by one or more zeros corresponding to the order of magnitude; the one or more zeros displayed on extension portions extending from the outer collar and aligned with the digits of the outer collar .