Mar 08 2010
Right Brain Math Number Wheel: Fives create a YO-YO Pattern
A Right-brained look at numbers is fun.
Most numbers make interesting patterns on a Number Wheel focusing on the ones-digits. What happens if we ignore the tens-digits as we add 1-9 repeatedly (multiplication). If you have watched my MisterNumber videos, you know that the Twos make a beautiful pentagon, while the Eights make the same pentagon in reverse. This is because going forward 8 on the Number Wheel from 0 takes you to 8, but you can also get to 8 by going back 2. Again, starting at 8 and going around 8 spaces takes you to the number 6, but going back 2 spaces also takes you to the number 6. See the video on Number Wheels or the 2-8 video to learn more.
You may also know that the Fours create a 5 pointed star pattern and the Sixes create the same star backwards. See the 4-6 video.
The Threes and Sevens create a 10 pointed star. Watch this 3-7 video.
The Ones, of course simply go around to make a decagon but many students are surprised that the Nines create the same design backwards.
Ones and Nines on the Number Wheel
Which brings us to the Fives.
Students are curious what shape they create on the Number Wheel. They are surprised and amused when they see that the Fives just create a YO-YO effect: a straight line that goes up and down between 5 and 0.
And the Tens just bounce on the 0 making a dot, going around the circle but only landing each time at the 0. The Tens just make a dot as they leave and then arrive again at the 0.
Cool!
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