(Crop) Circle Theorems
The more thoroughly you describe,
the more you will confuse.
It is necessary to draw as well as describe.
Leonardo da Vinci
Aims This morning we will use Euclid’s book & crop circles to show;
• The mathematics we see in school wasn’t just handed down in its entirety from antiquity, but has gone through a number of revisions.
• Mathematics provides us with tools which enable us to categorize things such as crop circles.
• Mathematics is a language we can use to describe the design of crop circles; in the break out session later.
• How to make some of the essential shapes found within these circle designs with a piece of string and a marker pen. The essential tools of a circle maker!
• Firstly lets have a look at the most famous book from antiquity; Euclid’s Elements
The Elements Book 4: Construction of Rectilinear Figures In and Around Circles
The Elements Book 4: Construction of Rectilinear Figures In and Around Circles
The Elements Book 4:
Construction of Rectilinear
Figures In and
Around Circles
plenary
• Euclid’s Elements; the mathematics you
see in school has been handed down and
translated from Greek, to Arabic, to Latin,
into English among other languages.
• Therefore the message in the
mathematics we learn today potentially
could have been lost through the ages.
plenary
• When trying to make sense of the different
types of crop circles we can use
mathematical properties such as
symmetry to help us.
• We can also use polygons to help us
categorise the information you have been
given.
The breakout session
Windmill Hill, Wilts
Aim
• Designing your own crop circles!!!!!
• Watch carefully as I reveal an example of
a crop circle design step by step.
Aim
• Using a string and board marker as a
make shift set of compasses in you pairs
discuss how you would construct the
following;
• 60 degree angle
• Equilateral triangle
• Hexagon
Designing your own crop circles
• What did you notice about the instructions;
• What went well……
• Even better if…….
Now in your pairs
• Create your own crop circle design.
• Think about how you would need to lay
out each stage in your design.
• Write out your instructions on a sheet of
paper, with small sketches to help
describe your design.
• Provide sufficient detail so that another
group could try to replicate your design.
To Conclude
I hope you have enjoyed the session!
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if
you need any further information