Mathematics in a Story: Pythagoras and the Ratios

Pythagoras and the Ratios

1. In the story, Pythagoras and the Ratios, by Julie Ellis, Pythagoras and his cousins are having trouble playing their instruments in tune for an upcoming contest. After considering how notes that sound good together have a mathematical relationship, Pythagoras is able to fix Octavius' instrument first by calculating the ratio of each pipe to the shortest one on his own instrument. He fixes the other instruments by attaching rocks and string that affect the tension and make a better sound. Although Pythagoras wasn't able to compete in the contest because he neglected his chores, his cousins end up creating the first rock group in ancient Greece!

2. The most important mathematical concept in this story is relationships. Pythagoras is able to determine how the length of the pipes affects the sound of the instrument. He is also able to figure out how mathematics are related to music. Basically, Pythagoras is figuring out that resultant sound is a function of either tension or pipe length. These are both mathematical models as well.

3. Stories and literature are an extremely effective way to teach math concepts because giving real world examples of how numbers can apply to daily life is very helpful to students. I think that envisioning math concepts at work in real life can allow students to see math as something that is not made up, but actually applies to the world. It has always been easier for me to learn math through real life situations and literature is a creative way of displaying difficult concepts.