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    The Big Idea About the One and Two Pan Scale Puzzle The principle of the two-pan scale is based on the idea of mass equality, whereby the weight on one side must exactly match the weight on the other for the scale to achieve balance. This system is particularly fascinating because it allows for a variety of weights to be represented through combinations of smaller weights, especially when utilizing powers of 3, such as 1 gram, 3 grams, 9 grams, and 27 grams, which measure any number from 1 to 40. The two-pan scale operates using a balanced ternary system, which incorporates three distinct digits: -1, 0, and +1. In this context, 0 signifies that a weight is not used, -1 indicates that the weight is placed on the same side as the item being weighed, and +1 shows that the weight is on the opposite side. This arrangement facilitates efficient calculations and gives room for instinctive calculations. For instance, if a customer asks for 7 grams of herbs, I can explore h...
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During my undergraduate studies, I engaged deeply with courses and literature on the integration of history in education. I strongly believe that introducing the historical context of mathematical concepts in lessons is essential, as it humanizes these often abstract ideas, making them more accessible and relatable. I recall my time teaching mathematics back home, where students would express their frustration with statements like, “I wonder who invented Mathematics?” or “Who is subjecting us to this torment?” It often felt like the subject had a wicked inventor who sought to impose unnecessary challenges on them. However integrating the development of mathematical concepts into my teaching, will help students recognize that these scholars made significant contributions to this field in response to real-life challenges, and they faced struggles similar to their own in the pursuit of knowledge, and when students realize that mathematics didn't simply appear but instead evolved throu...
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Speculative Phase  I believe the Babylonians' selection of 60 as a base system is closely linked to their understanding of time. This is evident in the modern SI unit of time, which is structured as follows:  60 seconds equal 1 minute, and  60 minutes equal 1 hour  This connection suggests that the origins of our current timekeeping system may trace back to Babylonian practices. Furthermore, this base-60 system aligns closely with the number of days in a calendar year, which is typically 365 or 366 days. This is also surprisingly close to 360 degrees, which is connected particularly in the context of Earth’s meridians and lines of latitude and longitude. These lines are instrumental in how humanity has learned to measure time and assess the Earth's position. I firmly believe that the Babylonians were pioneers in developing the time system we utilize today. During our last class on Monday, we explored the fascinating concept of representing fractions in base 60. This ...
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