Ancient Greek mathematics
Learn scale with ancient Greek mathematics
Learn how to create a scale drawing of an object using ancient Greek mathematics in this engaging STEM activity for kids!
This is a fun and free resource aimed at primary school students and could be used as a main lesson activity, to introduce the concept of scale or to teach learners about how the ancient Greeks have affected life in the modern world.
Activity introduction
In this activity learners will discover how to create a scale of an object using ancient Greek mathematics. They will first transpose shapes to gain the understanding of the task. Following this, students will make an accurate scale drawing of their classroom at a designated scale.
This activity will take approximately one hour to complete.
Things you will need
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Worksheet
- Calculator
The Ancient Greece connection
This activity is inspired by the achievements of Ancient Greece. The Ancient Greeks influenced the modern world in many ways and made important contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The ancient Greeks were very interested in mathematics and how it could be utilised to explain the world around them. They made countless mathematical advancements that have helped shape modern mathematics.
One of the first known Greek mathematicians was Thales. Thales placed particular emphasis on the study of geometry and discovered many theories about circles, lines, angles and triangles. Pythagoras, also, studied geometry. He was responsible for discovering the Pythagoras theorem which is still widely used today to find the sides of a right triangle.
Another incredibly important Greek mathematician was Euclid. Euclid wrote a book called ‘Elements’. This book is considered to be one of the most influential texts of all time as the theorems he described within it have formed the basis for mathematics as we know it today.
The engineering context
Drawing accurately to scale, and being able to shift between scales, is a fundamental skill of architectural drawing and spatial design.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to understand scale and how it is used and they will be able to draw something to scale.
Download the free activity sheet below!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation.
