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How to give my students a straightedge instead of a ruler
Will presenting non-Euclidean geometries to students before Euclidean geometry give them a better intuition about shapes on the plane?How Can I Motivate Geometric Constructions?interesting/challenging geometric constructions for gifted secondary studentsAt what point is it a disservice to pass someone on to the next math class?Phrasing the Van Hiele levels in student-friendly languageWhy should kids learn how to use a compass and straightedge, and not rely on a drawing program?Using number theory instead geometry to introduce proof in Basic School?
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I'm having a "challenge" in my geometry classes getting students to use rulers as measuring devices in constructions instead of just using them to connect points with line segments and extending line segments. It's very understandable when they use them to mark off a line segment congruent to a given line segment. But then they extend the idea to a sort of "guess and check" when they really should be using a compass instead. At the same time, I don't want to criticize their ingenuity or suggest that tools shouldn't be used as fully as possible to solve problems when appropriate.
So what I'm learning towards now is having 25 or so unmarked straightedges to have students use, so they are constrained to using them as Euclid intended. I haven't ever seen them sold as such, so I'm wondering if people have any suggestions about common "blank ruler-like" products that could be used as substitutes. (I would like to have an actual product for them to use, and not, say, using the edge of another textbook or an sharpened pencil or something like that.) Alternatively, I might get something like a simple piece of moulding cut into foot-long segments and sanded down.
Does anyone have any experience or suggestions along these lines?
For instance, here's an example of a brilliant but illegal construction I'd like to avoid seeing:
Here, we bisect $angle BAC$ by swinging an arc with $A$ at the center that intersects the angle at $D$ and $E$. Then, using the ruler to measure $DE$, construct $F$ as the midpoint. Then $overlineAF$ is our angle bisector.
ETA: I visited my local craft store and found 10" craft sticks in a pack of 50 for $7. The edges are rounded like popsicle sticks, but they're long enough that students will be able to draw any line segments they want with just the straight part. I think this is going to work really well for me. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!
geometry constructions
asked 8 hours ago
Matthew DalyMatthew Daly
1756 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
I'm having a "challenge" in my geometry classes getting students to use rulers as measuring devices in constructions instead of just using them to connect points with line segments and extending line segments. It's very understandable when they use them to mark off a line segment congruent to a given line segment. But then they extend the idea to a sort of "guess and check" when they really should be using a compass instead. At the same time, I don't want to criticize their ingenuity or suggest that tools shouldn't be used as fully as possible to solve problems when appropriate.
So what I'm learning towards now is having 25 or so unmarked straightedges to have students use, so they are constrained to using them as Euclid intended. I haven't ever seen them sold as such, so I'm wondering if people have any suggestions about common "blank ruler-like" products that could be used as substitutes. (I would like to have an actual product for them to use, and not, say, using the edge of another textbook or an sharpened pencil or something like that.) Alternatively, I might get something like a simple piece of moulding cut into foot-long segments and sanded down.
Does anyone have any experience or suggestions along these lines?
For instance, here's an example of a brilliant but illegal construction I'd like to avoid seeing:
Here, we bisect $angle BAC$ by swinging an arc with $A$ at the center that intersects the angle at $D$ and $E$. Then, using the ruler to measure $DE$, construct $F$ as the midpoint. Then $overlineAF$ is our angle bisector.
ETA: I visited my local craft store and found 10" craft sticks in a pack of 50 for $7. The edges are rounded like popsicle sticks, but they're long enough that students will be able to draw any line segments they want with just the straight part. I think this is going to work really well for me. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!
geometry constructions
asked 8 hours ago
Matthew DalyMatthew Daly
1756 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
On the rulers that I have, the markings come off just from normal usage, cheap junk. But fortunate to you, just sand the markings off, should not take long. Ask your students to do that — some vocational skills while inhaling microplastics, yay.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
It's not clear to me from your question what functionality you want in the straightedge, or what functionality you want to remove. But how about the red beam of laser pointer, in a dusty room?
$endgroup$
– user52817
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
@RustyCore LOL, Unfortunately, I also need actual rulers from time to time too. But buying super-cheap rulers and then defacing them is an intriguing idea!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@user52817 Good point. I edited my post to suggest an illegal construction that a strong-willed ingenious student would come up with just to vex me.
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
I see you updated the question with an image. Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. I often use the same shortcut myself, just because it is quicker. If you want your students to follow the correct Euclidean method, simply require all the intermediate construction to be clearly seen on the final picture.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
4 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
I'm having a "challenge" in my geometry classes getting students to use rulers as measuring devices in constructions instead of just using them to connect points with line segments and extending line segments. It's very understandable when they use them to mark off a line segment congruent to a given line segment. But then they extend the idea to a sort of "guess and check" when they really should be using a compass instead. At the same time, I don't want to criticize their ingenuity or suggest that tools shouldn't be used as fully as possible to solve problems when appropriate.
So what I'm learning towards now is having 25 or so unmarked straightedges to have students use, so they are constrained to using them as Euclid intended. I haven't ever seen them sold as such, so I'm wondering if people have any suggestions about common "blank ruler-like" products that could be used as substitutes. (I would like to have an actual product for them to use, and not, say, using the edge of another textbook or an sharpened pencil or something like that.) Alternatively, I might get something like a simple piece of moulding cut into foot-long segments and sanded down.
Does anyone have any experience or suggestions along these lines?
For instance, here's an example of a brilliant but illegal construction I'd like to avoid seeing:
Here, we bisect $angle BAC$ by swinging an arc with $A$ at the center that intersects the angle at $D$ and $E$. Then, using the ruler to measure $DE$, construct $F$ as the midpoint. Then $overlineAF$ is our angle bisector.
ETA: I visited my local craft store and found 10" craft sticks in a pack of 50 for $7. The edges are rounded like popsicle sticks, but they're long enough that students will be able to draw any line segments they want with just the straight part. I think this is going to work really well for me. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!
geometry constructions
asked 8 hours ago
Matthew DalyMatthew Daly
1756 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I'm having a "challenge" in my geometry classes getting students to use rulers as measuring devices in constructions instead of just using them to connect points with line segments and extending line segments. It's very understandable when they use them to mark off a line segment congruent to a given line segment. But then they extend the idea to a sort of "guess and check" when they really should be using a compass instead. At the same time, I don't want to criticize their ingenuity or suggest that tools shouldn't be used as fully as possible to solve problems when appropriate.
So what I'm learning towards now is having 25 or so unmarked straightedges to have students use, so they are constrained to using them as Euclid intended. I haven't ever seen them sold as such, so I'm wondering if people have any suggestions about common "blank ruler-like" products that could be used as substitutes. (I would like to have an actual product for them to use, and not, say, using the edge of another textbook or an sharpened pencil or something like that.) Alternatively, I might get something like a simple piece of moulding cut into foot-long segments and sanded down.
Does anyone have any experience or suggestions along these lines?
For instance, here's an example of a brilliant but illegal construction I'd like to avoid seeing:
Here, we bisect $angle BAC$ by swinging an arc with $A$ at the center that intersects the angle at $D$ and $E$. Then, using the ruler to measure $DE$, construct $F$ as the midpoint. Then $overlineAF$ is our angle bisector.
ETA: I visited my local craft store and found 10" craft sticks in a pack of 50 for $7. The edges are rounded like popsicle sticks, but they're long enough that students will be able to draw any line segments they want with just the straight part. I think this is going to work really well for me. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!
geometry constructions
geometry constructions
asked 8 hours ago
Matthew DalyMatthew Daly
1756 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
Matthew DalyMatthew Daly
1756 bronze badges
edited 1 hour ago
Matthew Daly
asked 8 hours ago
Matthew DalyMatthew Daly
1756 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
Matthew DalyMatthew Daly
1756 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
Matthew DalyMatthew Daly
1756 bronze badges
1756 bronze badges
1
$begingroup$
On the rulers that I have, the markings come off just from normal usage, cheap junk. But fortunate to you, just sand the markings off, should not take long. Ask your students to do that — some vocational skills while inhaling microplastics, yay.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
It's not clear to me from your question what functionality you want in the straightedge, or what functionality you want to remove. But how about the red beam of laser pointer, in a dusty room?
$endgroup$
– user52817
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
@RustyCore LOL, Unfortunately, I also need actual rulers from time to time too. But buying super-cheap rulers and then defacing them is an intriguing idea!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@user52817 Good point. I edited my post to suggest an illegal construction that a strong-willed ingenious student would come up with just to vex me.
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
I see you updated the question with an image. Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. I often use the same shortcut myself, just because it is quicker. If you want your students to follow the correct Euclidean method, simply require all the intermediate construction to be clearly seen on the final picture.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
4 hours ago
add a comment
|
1
$begingroup$
On the rulers that I have, the markings come off just from normal usage, cheap junk. But fortunate to you, just sand the markings off, should not take long. Ask your students to do that — some vocational skills while inhaling microplastics, yay.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
It's not clear to me from your question what functionality you want in the straightedge, or what functionality you want to remove. But how about the red beam of laser pointer, in a dusty room?
$endgroup$
– user52817
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
@RustyCore LOL, Unfortunately, I also need actual rulers from time to time too. But buying super-cheap rulers and then defacing them is an intriguing idea!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@user52817 Good point. I edited my post to suggest an illegal construction that a strong-willed ingenious student would come up with just to vex me.
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
I see you updated the question with an image. Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. I often use the same shortcut myself, just because it is quicker. If you want your students to follow the correct Euclidean method, simply require all the intermediate construction to be clearly seen on the final picture.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
4 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
On the rulers that I have, the markings come off just from normal usage, cheap junk. But fortunate to you, just sand the markings off, should not take long. Ask your students to do that — some vocational skills while inhaling microplastics, yay.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
On the rulers that I have, the markings come off just from normal usage, cheap junk. But fortunate to you, just sand the markings off, should not take long. Ask your students to do that — some vocational skills while inhaling microplastics, yay.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
It's not clear to me from your question what functionality you want in the straightedge, or what functionality you want to remove. But how about the red beam of laser pointer, in a dusty room?
$endgroup$
– user52817
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
It's not clear to me from your question what functionality you want in the straightedge, or what functionality you want to remove. But how about the red beam of laser pointer, in a dusty room?
$endgroup$
– user52817
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
@RustyCore LOL, Unfortunately, I also need actual rulers from time to time too. But buying super-cheap rulers and then defacing them is an intriguing idea!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@RustyCore LOL, Unfortunately, I also need actual rulers from time to time too. But buying super-cheap rulers and then defacing them is an intriguing idea!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@user52817 Good point. I edited my post to suggest an illegal construction that a strong-willed ingenious student would come up with just to vex me.
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@user52817 Good point. I edited my post to suggest an illegal construction that a strong-willed ingenious student would come up with just to vex me.
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
I see you updated the question with an image. Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. I often use the same shortcut myself, just because it is quicker. If you want your students to follow the correct Euclidean method, simply require all the intermediate construction to be clearly seen on the final picture.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
I see you updated the question with an image. Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. I often use the same shortcut myself, just because it is quicker. If you want your students to follow the correct Euclidean method, simply require all the intermediate construction to be clearly seen on the final picture.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
4 hours ago
add a comment
|
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I have lots of ideas, which, it turns out, aren't going to fit into a comment.
- If you don't need something too long, but want something that is pretty uniform and consistent, popsicle sticks (also sold as craft sticks) might work. The are pretty durable, but relatively cheap and, ultimately, disposable.
Wood molding or other small pieces of wood can be cut down to size. I would suggest that the best strategy here is to go to the hardware / lumber store and see what they have. You might find something you like. This might be a little more expensive, but you can get the pieces cut down to whatever length you like (or do it yourself if you have the tools).- Going very low tech, take a piece of $8frac12 times 11$ inch printer paper, and fold it in half the long way two or three times (therefore obtaining a piece of paper which is $11$ inches long and one or two inches wide. If you put a sharp crease into the paper, it should last for an hour or two.
- Pieces of cardboard, which can be obtained by destroying a cereal box. Take a cereal box, a good ruler, and (preferably) an X-acto knife, and cut the box into one inch wide pieces. If you need something more durable, cut several pieces to size, then glue them together.
- If you are wealthy, there is always this guy. Or this. That's what grants are for, right?
answered 8 hours ago
Xander HendersonXander Henderson
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Hmmmm. Standard Popsicle sticks are apparently 4.5", but there are craft sticks that get to be 10" or longer, and some with squared ends instead of rounded. This looks like it could be more affordable than I had hoped for!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
Try shopping for a "paint guide".
These products have:
- a straight plastic or metal edge
- a grippable portion that is not on the edge
- no ruler-like markings
- low prices.
Drafting triangles also have unmarked edges that are intended to be drawn along, but their accurate angles are too useful in your intended application.
answered 8 hours ago
JasperJasper
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I find those triangles disconcerting---my mother (who is a freelance technical illustrator) has many such triangles, all of which are marked. The unmarked triangles are trippy.
$endgroup$
– Xander Henderson
8 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
You could use a beam compass and only let them use one side of the compass as the straightedge.
answered 7 hours ago
Nick CNick C
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I have lots of ideas, which, it turns out, aren't going to fit into a comment.
- If you don't need something too long, but want something that is pretty uniform and consistent, popsicle sticks (also sold as craft sticks) might work. The are pretty durable, but relatively cheap and, ultimately, disposable.
Wood molding or other small pieces of wood can be cut down to size. I would suggest that the best strategy here is to go to the hardware / lumber store and see what they have. You might find something you like. This might be a little more expensive, but you can get the pieces cut down to whatever length you like (or do it yourself if you have the tools).- Going very low tech, take a piece of $8frac12 times 11$ inch printer paper, and fold it in half the long way two or three times (therefore obtaining a piece of paper which is $11$ inches long and one or two inches wide. If you put a sharp crease into the paper, it should last for an hour or two.
- Pieces of cardboard, which can be obtained by destroying a cereal box. Take a cereal box, a good ruler, and (preferably) an X-acto knife, and cut the box into one inch wide pieces. If you need something more durable, cut several pieces to size, then glue them together.
- If you are wealthy, there is always this guy. Or this. That's what grants are for, right?
answered 8 hours ago
Xander HendersonXander Henderson
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Hmmmm. Standard Popsicle sticks are apparently 4.5", but there are craft sticks that get to be 10" or longer, and some with squared ends instead of rounded. This looks like it could be more affordable than I had hoped for!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
I have lots of ideas, which, it turns out, aren't going to fit into a comment.
- If you don't need something too long, but want something that is pretty uniform and consistent, popsicle sticks (also sold as craft sticks) might work. The are pretty durable, but relatively cheap and, ultimately, disposable.
Wood molding or other small pieces of wood can be cut down to size. I would suggest that the best strategy here is to go to the hardware / lumber store and see what they have. You might find something you like. This might be a little more expensive, but you can get the pieces cut down to whatever length you like (or do it yourself if you have the tools).- Going very low tech, take a piece of $8frac12 times 11$ inch printer paper, and fold it in half the long way two or three times (therefore obtaining a piece of paper which is $11$ inches long and one or two inches wide. If you put a sharp crease into the paper, it should last for an hour or two.
- Pieces of cardboard, which can be obtained by destroying a cereal box. Take a cereal box, a good ruler, and (preferably) an X-acto knife, and cut the box into one inch wide pieces. If you need something more durable, cut several pieces to size, then glue them together.
- If you are wealthy, there is always this guy. Or this. That's what grants are for, right?
answered 8 hours ago
Xander HendersonXander Henderson
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Hmmmm. Standard Popsicle sticks are apparently 4.5", but there are craft sticks that get to be 10" or longer, and some with squared ends instead of rounded. This looks like it could be more affordable than I had hoped for!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
I have lots of ideas, which, it turns out, aren't going to fit into a comment.
- If you don't need something too long, but want something that is pretty uniform and consistent, popsicle sticks (also sold as craft sticks) might work. The are pretty durable, but relatively cheap and, ultimately, disposable.
Wood molding or other small pieces of wood can be cut down to size. I would suggest that the best strategy here is to go to the hardware / lumber store and see what they have. You might find something you like. This might be a little more expensive, but you can get the pieces cut down to whatever length you like (or do it yourself if you have the tools).- Going very low tech, take a piece of $8frac12 times 11$ inch printer paper, and fold it in half the long way two or three times (therefore obtaining a piece of paper which is $11$ inches long and one or two inches wide. If you put a sharp crease into the paper, it should last for an hour or two.
- Pieces of cardboard, which can be obtained by destroying a cereal box. Take a cereal box, a good ruler, and (preferably) an X-acto knife, and cut the box into one inch wide pieces. If you need something more durable, cut several pieces to size, then glue them together.
- If you are wealthy, there is always this guy. Or this. That's what grants are for, right?
answered 8 hours ago
Xander HendersonXander Henderson
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I have lots of ideas, which, it turns out, aren't going to fit into a comment.
- If you don't need something too long, but want something that is pretty uniform and consistent, popsicle sticks (also sold as craft sticks) might work. The are pretty durable, but relatively cheap and, ultimately, disposable.
Wood molding or other small pieces of wood can be cut down to size. I would suggest that the best strategy here is to go to the hardware / lumber store and see what they have. You might find something you like. This might be a little more expensive, but you can get the pieces cut down to whatever length you like (or do it yourself if you have the tools).- Going very low tech, take a piece of $8frac12 times 11$ inch printer paper, and fold it in half the long way two or three times (therefore obtaining a piece of paper which is $11$ inches long and one or two inches wide. If you put a sharp crease into the paper, it should last for an hour or two.
- Pieces of cardboard, which can be obtained by destroying a cereal box. Take a cereal box, a good ruler, and (preferably) an X-acto knife, and cut the box into one inch wide pieces. If you need something more durable, cut several pieces to size, then glue them together.
- If you are wealthy, there is always this guy. Or this. That's what grants are for, right?
answered 8 hours ago
Xander HendersonXander Henderson
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Xander HendersonXander Henderson
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Xander HendersonXander Henderson
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Xander HendersonXander Henderson
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
3,26310 silver badges30 bronze badges
2
$begingroup$
Hmmmm. Standard Popsicle sticks are apparently 4.5", but there are craft sticks that get to be 10" or longer, and some with squared ends instead of rounded. This looks like it could be more affordable than I had hoped for!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
add a comment
|
2
$begingroup$
Hmmmm. Standard Popsicle sticks are apparently 4.5", but there are craft sticks that get to be 10" or longer, and some with squared ends instead of rounded. This looks like it could be more affordable than I had hoped for!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
Hmmmm. Standard Popsicle sticks are apparently 4.5", but there are craft sticks that get to be 10" or longer, and some with squared ends instead of rounded. This looks like it could be more affordable than I had hoped for!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Hmmmm. Standard Popsicle sticks are apparently 4.5", but there are craft sticks that get to be 10" or longer, and some with squared ends instead of rounded. This looks like it could be more affordable than I had hoped for!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
Try shopping for a "paint guide".
These products have:
- a straight plastic or metal edge
- a grippable portion that is not on the edge
- no ruler-like markings
- low prices.
Drafting triangles also have unmarked edges that are intended to be drawn along, but their accurate angles are too useful in your intended application.
answered 8 hours ago
JasperJasper
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I find those triangles disconcerting---my mother (who is a freelance technical illustrator) has many such triangles, all of which are marked. The unmarked triangles are trippy.
$endgroup$
– Xander Henderson
8 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
Try shopping for a "paint guide".
These products have:
- a straight plastic or metal edge
- a grippable portion that is not on the edge
- no ruler-like markings
- low prices.
Drafting triangles also have unmarked edges that are intended to be drawn along, but their accurate angles are too useful in your intended application.
answered 8 hours ago
JasperJasper
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I find those triangles disconcerting---my mother (who is a freelance technical illustrator) has many such triangles, all of which are marked. The unmarked triangles are trippy.
$endgroup$
– Xander Henderson
8 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
Try shopping for a "paint guide".
These products have:
- a straight plastic or metal edge
- a grippable portion that is not on the edge
- no ruler-like markings
- low prices.
Drafting triangles also have unmarked edges that are intended to be drawn along, but their accurate angles are too useful in your intended application.
answered 8 hours ago
JasperJasper
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Try shopping for a "paint guide".
These products have:
- a straight plastic or metal edge
- a grippable portion that is not on the edge
- no ruler-like markings
- low prices.
Drafting triangles also have unmarked edges that are intended to be drawn along, but their accurate angles are too useful in your intended application.
answered 8 hours ago
JasperJasper
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
edited 8 hours ago
answered 8 hours ago
JasperJasper
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
JasperJasper
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
JasperJasper
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
2,6729 silver badges19 bronze badges
$begingroup$
I find those triangles disconcerting---my mother (who is a freelance technical illustrator) has many such triangles, all of which are marked. The unmarked triangles are trippy.
$endgroup$
– Xander Henderson
8 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
I find those triangles disconcerting---my mother (who is a freelance technical illustrator) has many such triangles, all of which are marked. The unmarked triangles are trippy.
$endgroup$
– Xander Henderson
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
I find those triangles disconcerting---my mother (who is a freelance technical illustrator) has many such triangles, all of which are marked. The unmarked triangles are trippy.
$endgroup$
– Xander Henderson
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
I find those triangles disconcerting---my mother (who is a freelance technical illustrator) has many such triangles, all of which are marked. The unmarked triangles are trippy.
$endgroup$
– Xander Henderson
8 hours ago
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
You could use a beam compass and only let them use one side of the compass as the straightedge.
answered 7 hours ago
Nick CNick C
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
You could use a beam compass and only let them use one side of the compass as the straightedge.
answered 7 hours ago
Nick CNick C
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment
|
$begingroup$
You could use a beam compass and only let them use one side of the compass as the straightedge.
answered 7 hours ago
Nick CNick C
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
$endgroup$
You could use a beam compass and only let them use one side of the compass as the straightedge.
answered 7 hours ago
Nick CNick C
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
Nick CNick C
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
Nick CNick C
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
Nick CNick C
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
2,8628 silver badges30 bronze badges
add a comment
|
add a comment
|
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$begingroup$
On the rulers that I have, the markings come off just from normal usage, cheap junk. But fortunate to you, just sand the markings off, should not take long. Ask your students to do that — some vocational skills while inhaling microplastics, yay.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
It's not clear to me from your question what functionality you want in the straightedge, or what functionality you want to remove. But how about the red beam of laser pointer, in a dusty room?
$endgroup$
– user52817
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
@RustyCore LOL, Unfortunately, I also need actual rulers from time to time too. But buying super-cheap rulers and then defacing them is an intriguing idea!
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@user52817 Good point. I edited my post to suggest an illegal construction that a strong-willed ingenious student would come up with just to vex me.
$endgroup$
– Matthew Daly
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
I see you updated the question with an image. Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. I often use the same shortcut myself, just because it is quicker. If you want your students to follow the correct Euclidean method, simply require all the intermediate construction to be clearly seen on the final picture.
$endgroup$
– Rusty Core
4 hours ago