The Teaching of Mathematics to Textile Students

Extract

Before commencing his purely Textile Course, the student has had, at least, a two years’ course consisting of Practical Mathematics and Drawing, English, and Laboratory Work in Mechanics and Physics. The syllabus for Mathematics includes: Mensuration of the rectangle, parallelogram, triangle and oircle; surface areas and volumes of the cylinder, cone and sphere; measurements are made from everyday objects and models, and symbolical representation of the results leads to formulae and substitution of numbers in these formulae. From this we pass to simple equations. Squared paper is used to plot results of measurements made (either in the Mathematics lessons or the Laboratory), such as comparing:—circumferences and diameters of circles; areas of triangles of equal altitudes and different bases; extensions and loads for a spring; corresponding readings of temperatures in C.° and F.°, and from these we pass to proportionality, or variation. Powers and roots are dealt with, and the use of Logarithms taught. The Drawing, which is taught alongside the Mathematics, consists of: Hand-sketches, plans, elevations and sections of models and parts of machinery used by the students.