ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Code.org Karlie Kloss explains how to use math with the artist in Code Studio
Have you ever wondered how computers can draw shapes like rectangles? It’s actually pretty cool and involves a bit of math! Let’s dive into how you can use math to help a computer draw a rectangle.
Imagine you want to draw a rectangle that is 50 pixels tall. But here’s the twist: you want the rectangle to be twice as wide as it is tall. So, if it’s 50 pixels tall, it should be 100 pixels wide. How do you tell a computer to do that?
One way is to give the computer step-by-step instructions. You could tell it to move up 50 pixels, turn right, and then move over 100 pixels. You’d repeat this process to complete the rectangle. But there’s an even smarter way to do it using math!
Computers are really good at math, so why not let them handle the calculations? Instead of figuring out the width yourself, you can use something called a “variable.” A variable is like a box where you can store a number. In this case, you can create a variable called height and set it to 50.
Now, you can tell the computer to move up by the height (which is 50 pixels), turn right, and then move over by height multiplied by 2 (which is 100 pixels). This way, the computer does the math for you, and you get a rectangle that’s twice as wide as it is tall!
Using variables makes your code easier to change and understand. If you decide you want a taller rectangle, you just change the height variable, and the computer will automatically adjust the width for you. This makes your code flexible and powerful!
So, next time you’re working with computers and code, remember that you can use math and variables to make your life easier. Let the computer do the hard work, and you’ll be creating awesome shapes in no time!
Use a simple coding platform like Scratch or Code.org to create a program that draws a rectangle. Set a variable for the height and use math to calculate the width as twice the height. Experiment with different heights and see how the rectangle changes!
In pairs, create a list of different shapes you can draw using variables. Discuss how changing one variable affects the shape. Present your findings to the class and explain how variables make coding easier and more flexible.
Draw a picture using graph paper where each shape is defined by mathematical rules. For example, draw a series of rectangles where the width is always twice the height. Share your artwork with the class and explain the math behind it.
Work in groups to solve a set of coding puzzles where the code for drawing shapes is broken. Use your understanding of variables and math to fix the code and make the shapes appear correctly. Discuss the solutions as a class.
Research and present how math and coding are used in real-life applications, such as video game design or animation. Create a short presentation or poster to share with the class, highlighting the importance of math in technology.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
“If I wanted to draw a rectangle that is 50 pixels tall and twice as wide as it is tall, how would I program the computer to do that? I could instruct the artist to move up 50 pixels, turn right, and then move over 100 pixels, looping the whole process twice. However, that involves doing the math manually. While multiplying 50 by 2 might not be difficult for us, computers excel at performing calculations, so we should let them handle it whenever possible. Instead, if I use a variable called ‘height,’ I can easily set height to 50 and modify my algorithm to instruct the artist to move up by ‘height,’ turn right, and then move over by ‘height’ multiplied by 2. This approach gives us a rectangle that is twice as wide as it is tall.”
Computers – Electronic devices that can store and process data to perform various tasks. – Example sentence: Computers help us write stories, play games, and learn new things.
Code – A set of instructions written in a programming language that tells a computer what to do. – Example sentence: We used code to create a fun game in our computer class.
Math – The study of numbers, shapes, and patterns, often used in programming to solve problems. – Example sentence: We used math to calculate the score in our computer game.
Rectangle – A four-sided shape with opposite sides that are equal in length, often used in computer graphics. – Example sentence: We drew a rectangle on the screen to create a simple house in our drawing program.
Pixels – The tiny dots that make up the images on a computer screen. – Example sentence: The picture on the computer looked clear because it had a lot of pixels.
Variable – A symbol or name that holds a value in a program, which can change as the program runs. – Example sentence: We used a variable to keep track of the player’s score in the game.
Height – The measurement of how tall something is, often used to define the size of objects on a screen. – Example sentence: We set the height of the rectangle to 100 pixels to make it taller.
Width – The measurement of how wide something is, often used to define the size of objects on a screen. – Example sentence: The width of the rectangle was set to 200 pixels to make it wider.
Instructions – Steps or commands given to a computer to perform specific tasks. – Example sentence: The robot followed the instructions we wrote in code to move forward and turn left.
Shapes – Forms like circles, squares, and triangles that can be drawn on a computer screen. – Example sentence: We used different shapes to create a colorful picture in our art program.
