CA1114602A

CA1114602A - Teaching aid for mathematics

Info

Publication number: CA1114602A
Application number: CA302,975A
Authority: CA
Inventors: George Ropchan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-05-09
Filing date: 1978-05-09
Publication date: 1981-12-22

Abstract

TEACHING AID FOR MATHEMATICS
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION:
An arithmetic teaching aid For demonstrating the spatial relationship between positive and negative numbers to enable the teaching of operations in the set of integers, and includes a mirror surface with an arm projecting at an angle of ninety (90°) degrees therefrom and having integers representing positive numbers spacedly and vertically arranged thereon so that the images of integers reflected by the mirror surface will indicate, to students viewing from the front, negative integers and their relationship to the positive integers.

Description

SPECIFICATION

Field of the Invention This invention relates to an educational aid for use in demonstrating the relationship of numbers to aid in the teaching of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Background of the Invention It is usually the practice when teaching elementary arithmetic for the teacher to place a set of integers accompanied by diagrams on a blackboard or paper for viewing by students, with a horizontal line being drawn thereon with points spaced at equal intervals. Gne of these points is labelled "0" and the points to the right are labelled +1, +2, +3, +4, etc. The same procedure is applied to the left, with the points being designated -1, -2, -3, -4, etc. This is a laborious procedure and requires accuracy to avoid confusing the students. In addition, the spatial relationship is not satisfactory, as it is an arbitrary arrangement for directions.
While various teaching aids have been proposed, such as U.S. Patents to Hinicken 3,212,202 Chuy 3,339,296; and Horn 3,486,244, none of the devices thereof have satisfactorily and effect-ively demonstrated a number line and the spatial relationship between negative and positive numbers to enable the operations of arithmetic to be carried out.
Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a device for classroom use for the teaching of the operations in arithmetic of the integers and real numbers.
Another object is the provision of a device embodying a mirror surface with an arm projecting at an angle of ninety (90) degrees therefrom and having positive integer means spacedly and vertically arranged thereon so that the images of integers reflected by the mirror surface will indicate, to students viewing from the front, negative integers and their relationship to the positive integers. I
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A further object is to provide the arm extending from the mirror surface with a series of spaced vertical pegs having positive integer nu~erals mounted thereon so that their images will be reflected by the mirror surface.
Brief Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a teaching aid for mathematics co~prising a mirror surface, arm means extending at right angles from the mirror surface and spaced peg means vertically arranged on the arm means. Integer means representing positive integers are disposed on the peg means and the images of the integer means reflected by the mirror surface represent negative integers.
Brief Description of the ~rawings These and other objects and advantages will be apparent as the specification is considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein;
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the arm supporting the positive integer means extending forwardly at right angles from a mirror surface, and the opposite numerals being shown on the mirror surface;
Figure 2 is a front view of the reflecting mirror surface and the arm with positive integer means extending forwardly therefrom;
Figure 3 is a side view of the device; and, Figure 4 is a plan view.
Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, 1 generally indicates the improved teaching aid including a substantially rectangular flat mirror surface 2. The latter may be in the form of a conventional glass mirror with a suitable frame, not shown, therearound, or could be represented by a highly polished reflective metal surface.

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Extending through a central cut-out or slot 5 in the bottom edge 4 of mirror surface 2 is a flat, elongated relatively narrow arm 3 of any suitable material. A series of spaced apertures 7 in the arm receive upright pins or pegs 6 which extend in vertical alignment. Positive integer means 8 representing numberals 1 to 5, are suitably affixed to the upper end of pins 6 so as to extend generally parallel to mirror surface 2. Integer means 8 are arranged in numerical order, with numeral 1 being adiacent to the mirror surface and the numerals progressing successively and outwardly therefrom.
The mirror surface will represent the location of the zero point.
In the interest of simplicity, only the outlines of numerals 1 to 5 are shown unted on pins 6, and the last three pins are formed with enlarged heads or balls 9 on the upper ends thereof which may represent "etc" or "and so forth". The teacher will, of course, explain why further numerals have not been included. If so desired, it will, of course, be possible to include additional numerals, and the arm 3 could be extended with additional spaced apertures for this purpose.
Thus, it will be evident that when the mirror surface and arm 3 are arranged on a flat surface so as to extend upwardly therefrom, or held by a teacher in front of a group of students, the positive integer means 8 will extend vertically a suitable height and be clearly visible by the students. At the same time, the images of these numerals will be reflected in mirror surface 2 in inverse order from 1 to 10, so that the teacher may explain and demonstrate the various operations of arithmetic using negative numbers which will enable students to more readily understand and assim~late this knowledge.
While a preferred embodiment of this teaching aid has been shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the size, shape, arrangement and detail of the various component parts thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A teaching aid for mathematics comprising a mirror surface, arm means extending at right angles from said surface, spaced peg means vertically arranged on said arm means, integer means sequentially disposed on said peg means whereby said integer means will be viewable from the front and represent positive integers and their images will be reflected in said mirror surface and will represent negative integers.

2. A teaching aid for mathematics, as defined in claim 1, wherein said mirror surface is flat and generally rectangular.

3. A teaching aid for mathematics, as defined in claim 2, wherein said arm means is flat and elongated.

4. A teaching aid for mathematics, as defined in claim 3, wherein said arm means is affixed to and centrally of the bottom edge of said mirror surface.

5. A teaching aid for mathematics, as defined by claim 4, wherein said arm means is spacedly apertured and said peg means with said integer means are arranged in co-axial alignment therein.