Half the people you'll meet nowadays will say something along the lines of "I hate math" or "I'm bad at math" when the subject comes up in conversation. It seems to be almost a weird, quirkly, point of pride in a strange way.
But recently I discovered a few easy tricks that allowed me to significantly re-polish and up my math game.
1.) Euclidea
Euclidea is definitely an example of a game that doesn't look like a lot of fun. I mean, where's the entertainment in a bunch of lines, circles, and angles, right?
Well, I've got news for you. Euclidea is one of the most addictive apps that I've yet played. I find myself considering the problems and puzzles while I'm cooking, commuting to work, or in the shower. And it's not just the puzzles in the game, it's the feel of it. The satisfaction as you create a perfect line or intersecting circle with a simple drag of a finger.
In Euclidea you feel like you are walking the path of the ancients. When you solve a problem, you realize that you are solving it in much the same way the Greeks did when they were figuring out basic math. And with horror, at around the second level, you'll realize that you're actually learning. With three circles you'll be able to make a 45 degree angle. So with nothing more than a mathematical compass you can do feats you would never even have concieved before. And boy is it satisfying.
It's in the app store on android and the first two sections are free, with all the rest unlocking for a buck.
2.) DragonBox Algebra 5+
Algebra can be.... fun?! Apparently, when you put a bunch of cute dragons in the mix, it darn well can be. By replacing the numbers (which often trigger fear and despair in the math-averse) with funky creatures and vortexes and such, it frees the mind to focus on the problems at hand. This is another one that's a ton of fun, and not to be underestimated as far as it's educational content. By the end you'll have earned a fine re-solidifying of the basics. And hey, you can always have your kids play it to get them more interested in math.
3.) Calculator: The Game
This cute little game will have you adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and a bunch of other stuff not in the traditional math toolbox (live reversing numbers). The goal is to get whatever the goal number is that's listed in the upper right hand corner. Easy, right? Oh, and the number of moves you have is limited.
I'm not sure how much can be said for the game as far as brushing up on math skills, but I do think that it does a lot as far fine-tuning an intuitive feel for numbers and a comfort with them. Also, there's clearly a strong logic aspect that might give you that edge when dealing with heavier math.
Oh, and you can cover the solar panel to make the calculator guy flip out a little. Pretty cute.
Yes, with these apps you'll have your noggin on par with Einstein for sure. Or not. But they will make you significantly smarter, and if you follow them all through to the end you might find yourself one smart cookie. I'll let you know.
How do you feel about math? Yea, nea, or grey (in the middle)? Let me know in the comments and, as usual, be sure to upvote and resteem! Steem ON!
I actually did hate math in school when I was a kid. I mean it is fun when you do the calculations and get the right result but if not it is a bit frustrating. lol I enjoyed playing basketball outside rather than doing math at home. But, the older I get I find myself enjoying learning about math through some various games such as you suggested in here.
I will try some of them and who knows maybe there is a hidden math genius somewhere still inside me. lol
That's the spirit! I must confess that I've always loved math. There's just something so pure about the way the numbers work together and the concepts build on each other.
Thanks for reading, and for the comment!
hehe We will see where the spirit takes me. :) I am sure there is. Math runs the world. In every way. :)
You are more than welcome. Have an amazing day. :)
Love Math and agree that making Math fun may help. :)
Yeah I was one of those people who disliked math! Now I realize it was just taught to me the wrong way. If approached philosophically, I'm pretty sure I would've been a whiz, given how (just one example) I was the only one in class one time who saw that a math question in a test was wrong, and it took me a good 5 minutes to explain it to the teacher so she understood, going over the question again and again, while the rest of the class grew impatient and tried to contain their mockery. But finally she got it, and then we spent the rest of the class with her trying to explain it to the rest of the class. Don't know if I did the right thing, cos for the rest of the year the teacher was on my case, constantly bugging me, pushing me to work harder, telling me I have talent. It was my worst year, math-wise, as far as I can remember.
Great post, btw, I'll make sure to try those apps!
Btw I think the pics should come after the heading. As they are, they give the impression that they refer to what's above instead of what's below.