Maths Websites

MathsNet: As well as being Head of Maths at the Hewett Comprehensive School in Norwich, Bryan Dye is one of the pioneer developers of educational websites. His fantastic MathsNet website is a tremendous resource for all teachers and students of mathematics. Features include: Interactive, Articles, QuizBank, Magic Grid, MathsNet Art, Puzzles and Maths Links. The website also contains reviews of software and books for mathematicians.

Probabilistic Learning Activities Network: Have you ever wondered how to enhance your teaching of probability? David Harris tries to answer this question with this site. The material is based on interactive probability experiments in the form of applets and spreadsheets. The Question, Hypothesis, Experiment methodology is designed to introduce students to the fascinating world of random behaviour. Students are asked to provide an initial response to a probability experiment, collect data from the experiment and finally use mathematics to determine the probability measure of the experiment. Many of the experiments are counter-intuitive and are designed to foster discussion and interest in the mathematics classroom. The site is written primarily for students of the International Baccalaureate but can be used throughout any high school programme.

Quantum Brain Benders: This website provides a series of highly entertaining math-based puzzles. Each puzzle consists of three rows of numbers. The skill level - easy, difficult or braniac - determines how many numbers are in each row. The task of the student is to find a string of numbers that add up to the "finish" number provided in the puzzle.

Interactive Mathematics: Most of the best educational websites have been created by people who are enthusiastic about the subjects they teach. Alexander Bogomolny definitely fits into this category. Interactive Mathematics is an attempt to reduce what Bogomolny calls "math anxiety". His strategy is to provide a database of games and puzzles that require deductive skills. Bogomolny argues that: "Mathematics is the only deductive science. The peculiar beauty of Mathematics lies in deduction, in the dependency of one fact upon another". He adds that he is attempting to create a resource that will help people learn "if not math itself, then, at least, ways to appreciate its beauty." Bogomolny's website also includes sections on Maths Quotes, Did you Know?, Fast Reckoning, Mathematics as a Language and Inventor's Paradox.

MathMagic: MathMagic has been created by Alan A. Hodson from El Paso, Texas. Hodson points out that he is trying to "provide strong motivation for students to use computer technology while increasing problem-solving strategies and communication skills." A facilitator (teachers, parents, librarians, etc.) register teams of mathematicians with the MathMagic project. Mathematical challenges are posted on the website and each registered team is paired up with another team and engage in a problem-solving dialogue. When an agreement has been reached, the solution is posted on the website.

MathSphere: The MathSphere website has an impressive collection of resources for mathematicians. This includes mathematics worksheets and test papers. There is also wide coverage of the national curriculum, the numeracy hour and homework. Topics include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, square numbers, cubic numbers, data handling and geometry.

Convert It: A very useful website that enables visitors to convert from one unit of measurement to another. Options include Area, Capacity, Distance, Energy & Power, Temperature, Velocity/Speed, Volume and Weight/Mass.

Math League: The Math League website is dedicated to bringing challenging mathematics materials to students. The website specializes in competitions. The author claims that the website builds "student interest and confidence in mathematics through solving worthwhile problems." Over a million students participate in Math League contests each year and they are designed to cover a range of mathematical knowledge.

Maths Teaching Ideas: Mark Warner's excellent website has been created for the teachers and parents of primary-age children. The section on Maths includes lessons entitled Estimation, Puzzle Display, Beat the Teacher, Maths Dictionary, Detective Trail, High Noon, Maths Table Challenge, Division Problems, Times Tables Investigations, Rounding Numbers, Guess My Number, Number Patterns, Coordinates, Weighing Objects and Countdown.

GCSE Maths: This site has been developed specifically for students and for those wanting help with GCSE level exams. It has been created in a simple way, with a very wide range of content that enables quick and valuable usage. The site is wholly free to use and is frequently used by teachers, pupils, college students and professors from all around the world. The site includes a Maths section with every topic necessary for GCSE level exams, coursework advice and practise papers with answers. Finally there is also a Bookshop where carefully selected texts have been added to give that extra bit of help.

GCSE Answers: Launched in 1996, GCSE Answers is the grand-daddy of the GCSE revision websites and it remains to this day the most authoritative. It is also the least commercial, being produced largely voluntarily by GCSE examiners, among whom is CCEA Principal GCSE Mathematics Examiner, Kevin Davis, who heads GCSE Answers' Mathematics Department. As teenagers can be impossibly impatient, GCSE Answers' pages are designed above all to be fast and easy to navigate. GCSE Answers eschews eye candy and appeals to the adult in GCSE students. It also speaks to students on their own terms, discarding the unnecessarily abstruse and alienating language of GCSE and academia. What results is a work in progress in three clearly defined sections - the Tutorials, the "Easy Starts" and the Heavy Duty Stuff - which broadly address the three GCSE Mathematics Tiers of Entry and which have won more awards and plaudits than you have had hot dinners. There is also Your Questions, Our Answers which mops up miscellaneous student enquiries, an index for fast reference, and an archive.

A+ Math is an interactive educational math web site that includes games, flashcards, worksheets and homework helper sections. Teachers, parents and students can use the web site to print flashcards or worksheets, either custom or automatically generated. Students can practice problems by solving worksheets or flashcards online and A+ Math will determine how many they got correct.

CopyCat is a captivating new 3D game designed and developed by Jim Morey. The game revolves around replicating a picture created by several patterned faces of a solid object (like a cube). This may sound easy to some, but it can turn out to be quite tricky. So to do well at the game, the player must first become familiar with the object. Copycat is rich with variety. There are many different pictures that can be created with the patterned faces of just one object and there are many different objects that can be used. For a more subtle variation, the way the player manipulates the object can also be changed.

Maths is Fun has been developed by a maths teacher from the South West of England to encourage an interest in Mathematics. The idea behind the site is to offer mathematics pages as well as some fun bits. The main content of the site is aimed at Key Stage 3 and 4 (11 - 16 years old). However you will find some more complex stuff, and some easier bits. Hopefully there should be something for everybody. As a recent review put it "A great website to explain the basics in mathematics, try out some online tests or download some offline activities. You can post your own questions, send an online maths card or just leave a greeting on the guestbook."

Time to Teach is a site designed for teachers, parents and home-schoolers. It contains over 100 free, interactive and fun complete primary maths lessons. Eighty of these lessons closely follow the lesson plans issued from the British department of education and aimed at helping to teach children aged between 5 and 12. The lessons are sorted into year groups, and subdivided into which term to teach a particular lesson. This unique site only specializes in providing PowerPoint lessons for primary maths. The webmaster on the site is happy to consider primary maths PowerPoint lessons written by other teachers for inclusion on the site. If you send 10 or more complete lessons which are used, you get a free CD to say thank-you.

Interactive Online Geometry: Learn about all aspects of geometry at levels KS3 and KS4 (High School) level by doing interactive online activities. Free online courses are available in three main areas: Transformations, which include rotations, reflections, enlargements and translations; Shape, including polygons, angle properties, symmetry, quadrilaterals and circle theorems; and Geometrical Construction which covers all aspects of compass and straight edge construction mentioned in the National Curriculum for England and Wales. There are extended resources on the history of geometry, compass only constructions, "sacred geometry" and other topics which will challenge the most able student (and teacher!). Every page is truly interactive, allowing students to manipulate geometric shapes.

Numeracy Software: This website is for primary school teachers who would like to make better use of ICT in their mathematics teaching. There are sections containing Numeracy News and Numeracy Links but the most valuable feature is probably the Free Downloads. Here you will find free resources to download, including pre-written spreadsheets, logo procedure files, My World screens, data files, PowerPoint Presentations etc. These cover all areas of mathematics and are suitable for a wide range of pupils.

KidsMAPE: MAPE (Micros and Primary Education) is an organization that has played a pioneering role in using ICT in Britain. The KidsMAPE section of the website includes a Random Number Generator (can be used in any activity requiring random numbers), Greenfield Road (a 19th century database with differentiated activities), a Maths Treasure Trail (pupils use the Internet to hunt for mathematical answers), Bounce (a mathematical investigation) and Number Grids (interactive teaching of numeracy).

Smile Mathematics: The interactive section of the Smile Mathematics website is an on-going development area. You will require the Flash 5 browser plug-in to access some of these activities and a java enabled browser. Activities include: Mental Mathematics, Playing Cards, Investigations, Fraction Flags, Symmetry Match, Pythagoras, Magic Squares, Wiggly Tessellations, Rotational Symmetry and Similar Triangles.

ATM: The Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM) supports the teaching and learning of mathematics by encouraging the joy of maths, developing the understanding of how people learn maths, sharing and evaluating teaching and learning strategies and promoting new ideas and possibilities. The ATM 2003 conference will be held at Bath University and speakers will include Simon Singh, the author of Fermat's Last Theorem and The Code Book.

Open Directory: This comprehensive directory contains over 10,025 websites on Mathematics: This includes Algebra (349), Analysis (133), Calculus (71), Chaos and Fractals (328), Combinatorics (378), Differential Equations (137), Geometry (448), Logic and Foundations (763), Number Theory (778), Numerical Analysis (261), Operations Research (213), Probability (114), Topology (188) and Trigonometry (8).

Algebra Project: Founded by Civil Rights activist Robert P. Moses in the 1980's, the Algebra Project has developed curricular materials, trained teachers & trainers of teachers, provided ongoing professional development support, and community involvement activities to schools seeking to achieve a systemic change in mathematics education. The Algebra Project builds local networks of students, parents, teachers, administrators, community activists and professionals into policy groups that take responsibility and ownership for implementing the project. The Algebra Project presently serves over 40,000 school students at 22 urban and rural sites in 13 states across the South, the West Coast, the Midwest and the Northeast. In the words of Robert P. Moses:" "The main goal of the Algebra Project is to impact the struggle for citizenship and equality by assisting students in inner city and rural areas to achieve mathematics literacy. Higher order thinking and problem solving skills are necessary for entry into the economic mainstream. Without these skills children will be tracked into an economic underclass."

Summer School Math is a web site for elementary children to practice math facts during Summer recess. A wonderful on-line tool allowing your child to spend a few minutes each morning during the months of Summer reviewing math facts or preparing for the new year.

Euclid Challenge: This website by Milton A. Mintz looks at the Euclid Challenge. It was necessary to go beyond "Traditional Euclidian methods", since it was proved by Pierrre Wantzel in the 19th century that when following these methods, it was impossible to "trisect any angle" or "square a circle". Mintz, an American Professor of Mathematics, uses only Euclid Tools: an unmarked straightedge and compass.

Mathematical Puzzles: The puzzles presented here are selected for the deceptive simplicity of their statement, or the elegance of their solution. They range over geometry, probability, number theory, algebra, calculus, and logic. All require a certain ingenuity, but only pre-college math. Some puzzles are original. Explaining how an answer is arrived at is more important than the answer itself. To this end, hints, answers, and fully worked solutions are provided, as well as links to relevant mathematical topics. The puzzles are intended to be fun, with an educational element.

Mathszone is a website of links to interactive resources for teaching the primary maths curriculum. Links are available in two formats, firstly arranged by key objective from the numeracy hour, and secondly by topic. Well known programmes from sites such as Primary Resources and Ambleside are joined with many of Mark Weddell's own creations to form a bank of hundreds of online games and activities. The site has become a favourite place for many teachers and children attempting to find useful activities on the Internet.

Handbook of Mathematical Functions: This online book includes the following chapters: Mathematical Constants, Physical Constants and Conversion Factors, Elementary Analytical Methods, Elementary Transcendental Functions Logarithmic, Exponential, Circular and Hyperbolic Functions, Exponential Integral and Related Functions, Gamma Function and Related Functions, Error Function and Fresnel Integrals, Legendre Functions, Bessel Functions of Integer Order, Bessel Functions of Fractional Order, Integrals of Bessel Functions, Struve Functions and Related Functions, Confluent Hypergeometric Functions, Coulomb Wave Functions, Hypergeometric Functions, Jacobian Elliptic Functions and Theta Functions, Elliptic Integrals, Weierstrass Elliptic and Related Functions, Parabolic Cylinder Functions, Mathieu Functions, Spheroidal Wave Functions, Orthogonal Polynomials, Bernoulli and Euler Polynomials, Riemann Zeta Function, Combinatorial Analysis, Numerical Interpolation, Differentiation and Integration, Probability Functions, Miscellaneous Functions, Scales of Notation and Laplace Transforms.

Maths Skills Trainer: This website has over a 1000 games to test and improve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills. These timed online tests are selected at random, and the ability level can be set to suit the individual. Registration is required to use the site, but sample activities are available.

10 Ticks: This maths website has been created to provide a source of enrichment activities to support classroom activities. There are mathematical games and puzzles as well as online tutorials to help with homework. There are hundreds of applets linked to English National Curriculum levels in the Interactive maths area as well as oddball mathematical activities!

Mathematics Newsletter: In conjunction with the subject associations, Becta are now able to offer a wide range of curriculum focussed newsletters. Each newsletter will contain news, reviews and suggestions of ways in which you can integrate ICT into your curriculum area. There will be updates on training events and conferences that you can take part in around the country and online. The newsletters can be downloaded below or you can choose to subscribe to receive the publications direct to your email account.

Google Calculator: To use Google's built-in calculator function, simply enter the expression you'd like evaluated in the search box and hit the Enter key or click the Google Search button. The calculator can evaluate mathematical expressions involving basic arithmetic, more complicated mathematics, units of measure and conversions and physical constants. You can also experiment with other numbering systems, including hexadecimal and binary.

Geometry: This amazing website created by Antonio Gutierrez provides an eclectic mix of sound, science, and Incan history intended to interest students in Euclidean geometry. Recent additions include Simson Line (proof of Simson line), The Raft of the Medusa (problem solving with fractals and animation), Archimedes and the Rhombicuboctahedron (Archimedes the Geometer), Sierpinski Triangle and Machu Picchu (fractal illustration), Johnson's Theorem (three equal circles pass through a common point), Varignon and Wittenbauer Paralellograms (quadrilateral: midpoints and trisection points of the edges) and Van Aubel's Theorem (quadrilateral with squares).

Numberline Lane: Fiona Cartmell is a leading maths teacher and an Advanced Skills Teacher specializing in KS1 maths education. She has just published new maths storybooks called Numberline Lane. Each book focuses on a different maths objective for Early Years and KS1. They come with a page of ideas for developing learning and mathematical discussion in the mental oral part of the numeracy lesson, leading to the main teaching introduction. The website has activities for parents to do at home to back up the books, and worksheets for use in the classroom.

Mathematics Problem Solving Task Centre: The PSTC website, based in Victoria, Australia, provides a database of problem solving activities. The tasks are listed under Lower/Middle Primary, Upper Primary/Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary. Teachers and students submit the problems and their email address enables participants to discuss their solutions, answers, queries, etc. Other features of the site include: Problem of the Month, Past Problems of the Month, Problem Solving Strategies and Links to Other Problem Solving Sites.

Maths Zone: This site aims to bring collect together and order a range of free resources discovered on the Internet, which can be used for teaching Maths in Primary Schools in the UK. Resources from various sites are placed together in sections to form a compelling bank of interactive games and activities for teaching Numeracy in Primary Schools. There is also a section for those teaching students aged 11-16.

Teach Kids Math introduces math topics in a variety of creative and challenging ways so as to achieve mastery of the fundamentals. This American website has a large assortment of interactive lessons that demonstrate basic mathematical concepts. The material ranges from basic counting for preschoolers to more advanced topics for secondary school students. Online worksheets help children practice multiplication, division, rounding, fractions and number sequences. It is claimed that the website "has been designed by children and adults".

Maths Tutor: This website has been created by Chinmaya Nagaraja for junior school pupils. There are online interactive activities on angles, rotation, translation, patterns, reflection, perimeter, area and volume. Titles include: Right Angles in Shapes, Measuring Angles, Types of Angles, Identifying Angles in Shapes, Rotating Shapes, Creating Patterns, Reflecting Shapes, Weird Shapes, Areas of Triangles and Volume of Cubes.

Making Mathematics Count: According to a government-backed report published this week, maths education is failing on every account and needs a fundamental multi-million pound overhaul. The current system of GCSEs and A-levels is not meeting the needs of students, teachers, employers or universities, the report's author, Professor Adrian Smith, said today as he published the damning 186-page document, the result of a 15-month inquiry into the future of maths in schools. Less than 10% of GCSE students go on to take A-level maths, and less than 10% of A-level students go on to a maths degree, the report says. Incentives should be considered to halt the "disastrous" decline in pupils taking maths at A-level - examples mooted include waiving university tuition fees for maths students.

SchoolsNet Maths: A collection of GCSE Maths lessons. This includes Algebraic fractions: "Changing the subject of a formula", "Expanding single and double brackets", "Harder percentages", "Linear equations containing algebraic fractions", "Linear equations containing brackets", "Quadratics 1: introduction and factorising", "Quadratics 2: completing the square and other methods", "Rational and irrational numbers", "Significant figures", "Simple factorising", "Simultaneous equations" and "Solving equations using trial and improvement".

Abiator's Active Classroom: This website has been produced by a teacher from New Zealand that allows pupils to try a variety of interactive maths actives. A number of options are available including contracts, problem solving, quizzes, multiple choice and mathematical crosswords. There is also a "Problem of the Day". Answers are available but only as part of a set or zipped file which are available for purchase.

Aunty Math: The mission of the DuPage Children's Museum is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, thinking and problem solving among young children. Children's familiar experiences are expanded through self-directed, interactive exhibits and programs focusing on the integration of the arts and sciences. Its Aunty Math website is for infants and juniors and provides fortnightly challenges.