Number balance remixed

This set of parts can also be used to help students understand  addition, multiplication, moments and the maths behind balancing them.

In the UK students will usually come across moment for the first time in A-Level Mechanics. Or at university when studying courses such as Engineering. Even without taking part in this study this is a very useful concept to understand and will come up in life nearly on a daily basis in some shape or form.

The scales can be used along with the various weights to prove that the force created around a point does equal the mass of the weight of the object multiplied by the distance from the pivot point. As a follow up to this demonstration it is very easy to show it is very easy to open a door pushing by the handle but much harder to push by the hinge.

Hopefully using this students will be able to balance increasingly complex combinations of moments and weights by calculating a solution then putting the weights on the other side to see if they were correct.

This can also be used for students who are much younger either helping with basic multiplication or helping with understanding addition and balancing.

The scale has been designed to intentionally be top heavy when the correct way up, this helps the scale be responsive enough to the single unit weight to tip when off balance. But it is stable enough to sit when balanced.

I believe strongly that mathematical concepts are much easy to understand when it is demonstrated with something the student can touch and feel. Once they have the grasp in the real world they will be able to answer questions on paper truly understanding what it is that they are doing.

608 bearing required for pivot

numbers must be printed solid to preserve relative masses.

Scale with extra hooks gives easy placement for multiple weights for addition lessons.

Doubled the base size to give stability in all directions, cut base/ stand in two to facilitate printing changed weights to be more attractive and expressive for children. increased weight/ numbers to 1-9