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The Open University

Starting with maths: Patterns and formulas

The Open University via OpenLearn

Overview

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Patterns occur everywhere in art, nature, science and especially mathematics. Being able to recognise, describe and use these patterns is an important skill that helps you to tackle a wide variety of different problems. This free course, Starting with maths: Patterns and formulas, explores some of these patterns, from ancient number patterns to the latest mathematical research.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Exploring patterns and processes
  • 1 Exploring patterns and processes
  • 2 Looking for relationships
  • 2 Looking for relationships
  • 3 Using formulas
  • 3 Using formulas
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Maths in cookery
  • 3.3 Maths in healthcare
  • 3.4 Maths in business
  • 3.5 Maths in archaeology
  • 4 Your formulas – using a spreadsheet
  • 4 Your formulas – using a spreadsheet
  • 5 Your own formulas
  • 5 Your own formulas
  • 5.1 Number tricks
  • 5.2 Doing and undoing
  • 6 Proportion
  • 6 Proportion
  • 6.1 Direct proportion
  • 6.2 Inverse proportion
  • 7 Inequalities
  • 7 Inequalities
  • 8 An unsolved problem!
  • 8 An unsolved problem!
  • 9 Patterns in nature and elsewhere
  • 9 Patterns in nature and elsewhere
  • 10 Summing up
  • 10 Summing up
  • Acknowledgements

Reviews

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