Dean Clark
(dclark.math@juno.com)
Lisa Chen
(chen@uri.edu)
University of Rhode Island
This site uses LiveMath (a link to the free plugin is included) to allow the user to explore mathematical questions about an "equal-arm balance."
SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS:
Open Mathematics of an Ancient Computing Device in a new window
Dean Clark
(dclark.math@juno.com)
Lisa Chen
(chen@uri.edu)
University of Rhode Island
This site uses LiveMath (a link to the free plugin is included) to allow the user to explore mathematical questions about an "equal-arm balance."
SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS:
Open Mathematics of an Ancient Computing Device in a new window
An equal-arm balance with a set of known weights (usually stones) has been used to determine the weight of objects for centuries. This site consists of a LiveMath application for exploring the problem of determining a necessary and sufficient condition on the "stones" so that every integer-weighted object within a specified range can be weighed. A short set of exercises leading the reader through the mathematics is included.
Open Mathematics of an Ancient Computing Device in a new window