Rhythmic Approach
to Geometry
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The interactive figures on these
web pages correspond to the figures in the paper "A rhythmic approach to geometry", written by Alfinio Flores, published in Teaching Mathematics in the Middle School, 7, 378-383 (March 2002).
Abstract
Dynamical capabilities of Geometer's Sketchpad are used to generate parabolas, pursuit curves, spirals, and caustics. Students can develop familiarity with these curves before the abstract treatment they will encounter in later years.
The use of this page requires
a Java-compatible web browser
Sample Figure
Instructions
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Click and drag on red
points to move them.
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Click on buttons (when displayed) inside
the sketch to cause objects to move, or new objects to appear and disappear.
(If a button stays down when you click it, you can click a second time
to release it.)
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When objects are animating or moving,
press '>' to speed up motion or '<' to slow it down.
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Press 'r' on your keyboard to reset
the sketch to its initial configuration.
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If the screen becomes cluttered with traced
objects, click the red 'X'
(when displayed) in the lower-right corner to clear the traces.