Sparking Mathematical Minds - Part One

Want to play a little game, my bright-eyed greatgrandchild? Good. Watch how I put blocks on each side of this seesaw. You've played on a seesaw before? Wonderful. Then you know how if one side has a larger playmate on it you end up stuck up in the air when they stop? Yes, indeed you do. Now, see how that happens when I put more blocks on one side than on the other? That's because more blocks are heavier than fewer blocks. In this seesaw game, it's all about balance. It's about getting the seesaw to sit level. Do you know how to make that happen? Yes! That's exactly the trick, getting the same number of blocks on both sides of the seesaw. Now my brilliant greatgrandchild, is it okay with you if we give the seesaw a name? Good! Let's name this seesaw Equation, and let's have Equation happiest when level.

This is going to be such a fun game! Now, if I put some blocks on my side of Equation it gets heavier than your side and goes down. So what can you do to make Equation happiest? Oh, yes, dear child. That's such a wonderful solution for Equation, putting blocks on your side.

And as soon as you get the same number of blocks on your side, Equation is as happy as can possibly be. Equation feels solved, and that's the way Equation always loves to feel. Solved. And you provided the solution to make Equation so happy. You balanced Equation by putting the same number of blocks on your side as I have put on my side. Do you want to help Equation feel solved some more my dear, brilliant solution master? Want to play again?

Oh my, that's what I love so much about you, my delightful, Equation solving greatgrandson.

Always so eager to solve Equation after equation after equation so everyone is very happy! Now, have you ever played with one of these wonderful little beauties? Its name is Abacus, and there are ways to make Abacus feel very happy which will also make you feel very happy.

Want to play some more?