Bees Project Reflection:
Jade Robbins
Bees Final Write Up
2018, Geometry
This project has been amazing for me, because I learn so well visually, and this was all logic and visual, and hands on learning. Something that really helped me grow mathematically is the way the assignments were so based around stories, and learning through real world application. On of these assignments that really resonated with me was the “Rectangles Are Boring Assignment.” It was homework, and we found out how to create different corrals for a farmer who wasn’t happy with the average rectangles, and wanted a triangle corral. We found out that this wasn’t as efficient in space for the cows, and this is relevant to the bee problem. We used the pythagorean theorem to find the area and side lengths of a corral with a certain amount of fencing.
Another assignment that I found useful when delving into this problem was the assignment where we found out how to calculate the area and strength of an octagon, and a pentagon etc. We divided these shapes into triangles, and found out if the triangles are equilateral by dividing 360 by the amount of triangles there were. If they were equilateral, it was very easy to find the area of the larger shape, but if they were not, we divided them into right triangles and used the Sohcahtoa formula with the angle and the known side length and calculated the area. This connects to the original problem because calculating the area of the shapes shows how much space efficiency could be used for the bees, trying to find the perfect shape for their hives.
The “Shedding Light on Prisms” assignment was helpful in showing how to quickly calculate the volume, area, lateral surface area, and height in any shape, no matter if it’s regular or not. We then found similar patterns in every shape we calculated which was really interesting to me. I loved how much we worked in groups in this project, it helped me view things from different perspectives which isn’t usually the case with math. We found that the perimeter multiplied by the height is always the lateral surface area, which I wouldn’t have seen on my own, and this applies to the original question because it shows how precise the making of each of these shapes truly is, and how efficiency is key when it comes to building any kind of home.
The most recent relevant assignment we completed was the assignment where we found out how much water a triangular water trough could hold, and how useful this was. We did this by finding the area of each triangular side, and concluding that they were not equilateral. We then discovered the lateral surface area, and from there we were able to find the area of the water trough, and we concluded that the triangular shape if much less efficient for holding as much water as possible, but definitely stronger than a square in weight efficiency. This is a good discovery for the ultimate problem, because when I first heard that the question was, what is the best shape for a bee hive, I immediately thought triangle because it is strong, but then I realised it was not the best shape.
The last assignment I will be analysing is the hands on strength lesson. We used toothpicks and marshmallows to try to create strong shapes to hold weight. We found that the more acute the angle, the less weight you could support. When the angle was 180 degrees, it held the most weight. This is a visual representation of the way that certain angles in a beehive might not actually be able to hold the weight of the bees. This is why we ultimately found that… believe it or not, hexagons might just be the best shapes for a bee hive.
Bees Final Write Up
2018, Geometry
This project has been amazing for me, because I learn so well visually, and this was all logic and visual, and hands on learning. Something that really helped me grow mathematically is the way the assignments were so based around stories, and learning through real world application. On of these assignments that really resonated with me was the “Rectangles Are Boring Assignment.” It was homework, and we found out how to create different corrals for a farmer who wasn’t happy with the average rectangles, and wanted a triangle corral. We found out that this wasn’t as efficient in space for the cows, and this is relevant to the bee problem. We used the pythagorean theorem to find the area and side lengths of a corral with a certain amount of fencing.
Another assignment that I found useful when delving into this problem was the assignment where we found out how to calculate the area and strength of an octagon, and a pentagon etc. We divided these shapes into triangles, and found out if the triangles are equilateral by dividing 360 by the amount of triangles there were. If they were equilateral, it was very easy to find the area of the larger shape, but if they were not, we divided them into right triangles and used the Sohcahtoa formula with the angle and the known side length and calculated the area. This connects to the original problem because calculating the area of the shapes shows how much space efficiency could be used for the bees, trying to find the perfect shape for their hives.
The “Shedding Light on Prisms” assignment was helpful in showing how to quickly calculate the volume, area, lateral surface area, and height in any shape, no matter if it’s regular or not. We then found similar patterns in every shape we calculated which was really interesting to me. I loved how much we worked in groups in this project, it helped me view things from different perspectives which isn’t usually the case with math. We found that the perimeter multiplied by the height is always the lateral surface area, which I wouldn’t have seen on my own, and this applies to the original question because it shows how precise the making of each of these shapes truly is, and how efficiency is key when it comes to building any kind of home.
The most recent relevant assignment we completed was the assignment where we found out how much water a triangular water trough could hold, and how useful this was. We did this by finding the area of each triangular side, and concluding that they were not equilateral. We then discovered the lateral surface area, and from there we were able to find the area of the water trough, and we concluded that the triangular shape if much less efficient for holding as much water as possible, but definitely stronger than a square in weight efficiency. This is a good discovery for the ultimate problem, because when I first heard that the question was, what is the best shape for a bee hive, I immediately thought triangle because it is strong, but then I realised it was not the best shape.
The last assignment I will be analysing is the hands on strength lesson. We used toothpicks and marshmallows to try to create strong shapes to hold weight. We found that the more acute the angle, the less weight you could support. When the angle was 180 degrees, it held the most weight. This is a visual representation of the way that certain angles in a beehive might not actually be able to hold the weight of the bees. This is why we ultimately found that… believe it or not, hexagons might just be the best shapes for a bee hive.
Something i’m excited about is that i’m understanding math better. In the beginning of this year I came into math with the same mindset I have had for a long time. For as long as I can remember, I have been so frustrated with math. Try stepping into my shoes. You try as hard as you can, but the numbers and symbols look like alien writing, and once you understand something kind of, the class moves on, and your left just as confused as before. My mind understands emotions, and writing, and history, and colors, and ideas. Math has always seemed unattainable. Until suddenly recently, I have been understanding math! I have been on top of things, and for the first time since I can remember, I have an A in math! I would like to show you my Problem of the Week, because i’m very proud that for the first time I was helping my peers, instead of needing help. I took this quiz last week, and I might sound like a broken record, but this made me so extremely happy, I understood the content. I was so excited about this that I ran to my advisors classroom and told her just how happy I was to get something in math for once.