1

ASSIGNMENT
MATHEMATICS LABORATORY







SUBMITTED TO, SUBMITTED BY,
PRINSAMMA.K.GEORGE ASHABAI.B.S
LECTURER IN MATHEMATICS MATHEMATICS
B.M.M.II.TRAINING COLLEGE B.M.M.II.TRAINING COLLEGE
Submitted on: 7-9-2014
2




Sl. No:


content

Page no:
1. Introduction 3
2. Need and significance of
mathematics laboratory
4
3. Importance of mathematics laboratory 7
4. Functions of mathematics laboratory 7
5. Layout of a mathematics laboratory 8
6. Materials and equipments for a mathematics
laboratory
9
7. conclusion 11
8. reference 12







3

A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which
scientific or technological research, experiments, and measurement may be
performed. Labs used for scientific research take many forms because of the
differing requirements of specialists in the various fields of science and
engineering. A physics lab might contain a particle accelerator or vacuum
chamber, while a metallurgy lab could have apparatus for casting or refining
metals or for testing their strength. A chemist or biologist might use a wet
laboratory, while a psychologists lab might be a room with one way mirrors and
hidden cameras in which to observe behavior. In some laboratories, such as
those commonly used by computer scientists, computers are used for either
stimulations or the analysis of data collected elsewhere. Despite the great
differences among laboratories, some features are common. The use of
workbenches or countertops at which scientists may choose to either sit or
stand is a common way to ensure comfortable working conditions. Cabinets for
the storage of laboratory equipments are also found in laboratories. Scientific
laboratories can be found in schools and universities, in industry, in government
or military facilities, and even aboard ships and spacecraft. A laboratory may
offer workspace for just one to more than thirty researchers depending on its
size and purpose. Recently, a new type of laboratory called Open Laboratory has
emerged. Its format allows the sharing of space, equipment, support staff
between different research groups and also fosters information exchange
through communications across fields. Laboratory techniques are the sum of
procedures used on natural sciences such as chemistry, biology, physics in order
to conduct an experiment, all of them follow scientific method; while some of
them involves the use of complex laboratory equipments from laboratory
glassware to electrical devices others require such specific or expensive
supplies. Laboratory equipment is generally used to either perform an
experiment or to take measurements and gather data. Larger or more
sophisticated equipment is generally called a scientific instrument.
Now a -days mathematics laboratory had been set up.
It is true that the mathematics laboratory has not yet received the same general
acceptance as a science laboratory. This is probably because the mathematics
4

teachers themselves have not recognized the significance of mathematics
laboratory as the science teachers have. Actually most mathematical teachers
have been very passive as to this respect. Mathematics laboratory is a place
where students can learn and explore mathematical concepts and verify
mathematical facts and theorems through a variety of activities using different
materials. These activities may be carried out by the teacher or the student to
explore, to learn, to stimulate interest and develop favourable attitude towards
mathematics. Laboratory in mathematics is the brain of Mr. Sreedhara Chandra
Sekhara Sastry, a creative mathematician. The maths lab consists of more than
200 models in various branchers of maths like Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetics,
etc. which are of great help to students from K.G to 12
th
. The models are so
designed to cater the needs of all segments of teachers and learners in verifying
formulae results and applications etc., irrespective of curriculum. The
mathematics laboratory provides an opportunity for individualized instructions,
introduction to the use of calculators and computers, etc. It is a setting with in
which students can develop their independent study programmes. The
laboratory approach embodies the concepts of active learning, pupils
involvement and participation and relevance. It is a demonstration of the
concept of an activity oriented mathematics programme. Now a-days
laboratory approach to mathematics instructions is being used effectively in
many schools.

Need and Significance of Mathematics Laboratory
Recently laboratory work in mathematics is receiving increasing
attention. The underlying idea of mathematical laboratory is that pupils will
develop new concepts and understandings meaningfully through experimental
activities dealing with concrete situations. It is particularly difficult to
understand mathematical concepts as they are abstract in nature. They can be
learned better through observation of the concrete situations and experiments
and manipulation of concrete objects. Activities such as measuring and
drawing, counting, weighing, averaging and estimating, taking the readings from
5

instruments, recording, comparing, analysing, classifying and checking data,
collecting data, working with data and so on will involve the use of physical
instruments and can be labeled as laboratory work. Some of this work can be
done in the classroom that is suitably arranged and equipped and some can take
the form of elementary field work. Most students find such work highly
instructing and through such activities they can develop many mathematical
concepts and insights with an interest and a clarity often not attained through a
strictly intellectual approach. Moreover, these concepts become more
meaningful, functional and endurable when they are seen in relation to actual
applications. The creative and constructive urges of the students can be
satisfied through the involvement in the laboratory work.
The activities involved in laboratory work in mathematics fall
broadly into two classes, namely demonstrations and experimental activities.
However, these two categories lie not mutually exclusive. In demonstration
some physical instrument or device is used to illustrate and clarify the
explanation of a mathematical concept or a method. For example, the teacher
can make use of certain models while explaining certain mathematical concepts
for clarity and understanding. The demonstrations can be carried out either by
the teacher or by the students. Experimental activities include the kind of
activities which are carried on individually or by small groups working together
and are primarily aimed at helping experimenters themselves to understand
concepts clearly. In the high school mathematics properties of mathematical
figures and concepts of distance, angles, weights, areas, volumes and loci etc.
can be given a more vivid impact through experimental activities than through
any other means. All these will be more effective if the models, etc. are
constructed by the learners themselves. They may be motivated to prepare
learning materials under the guidance of the teacher. For example models for
hollow square pyramid can be constructed using small rods and the height, slant
height, etc. represented using strings or wires. This will help in removing
confusion felt by many pupils regarding two different heights for a prism.

6





7

Importance of mathematics laboratory
Mathematics laboratory in a school is very important and useful.
The importances of mathematics laboratory are:
1. Habit of critical thinking and logical reasoning can be developed.
2. Complex theoretical concepts can be made clear by performing suitable
experiments.
3. Learning of subject matter can be given a practical shape.
4. Practical mindedness can be developed among the students.
5. Interest in learning mathematics can be developed.
6. Scientific attitude or temperament can be developed among the students.
7. Bookish knowledge of the students can be correlated practically with
their daily life.
8. Learners can be enabled to construct mathematical knowledge of their
own.

Objective of a mathematics laboratory is to:
Remove the weaknesses of present day mathematics education which
the mathematics laboratory and the mathematics laboratory alone can
do it.
To develop the much needed confidence in students.
To generate interest in the subject.
To make the students divergent thinkers.
Functions of Mathematics Laboratory
The primary functions of a mathematics laboratory are to:
Make mathematics teaching and learning, interesting and
purposeful for the students.
Provide activities that arouse the curiosity of the students and
maintain their in learning.
8

Enable students to develop proper skills in handling equipment and
gadgets.
Make students appreciate the practical applicability of
mathematical principles and laws.
Concretise the abstract mathematical concepts.
Help the students develop powers of observation, analysis, and
drawing inferences.
Help the child develop the ability for keen observation.
Develop in pupils a positive attitude towards problem solving.

Layout of a mathematics laboratory:

The ideal mathematics laboratory will have the following sections:
1. Section for job discussion and planning solution.
2. Section for making sketches, drawing for taking observations.
3. Section for reporting the results.
4. Section for making the working models as per job specifications.
5. Computer section for doing experiments of mathematics on
computers.

The above sections need to be discussed by the teacher in-charge, in the
laboratory. Before the children are asked for execution, the teacher should
explain the planning as well as he/she should help them in identifying the
appropriate solution in respect of choice of proper tools and their use in
execution. The teacher should also explain the use of computers in finding the
solution and the method of checking the accuracy of the solution already found
in the laboratory. Sufficient furniture should be provided in the laboratory to do
experiments and at the same time for displaying the working models and other
means of taking observations; to carry out experiments and make a clear
understanding about the use of procedural tools in engineering projects.
9






Materials and equipments for a mathematics laboratory
For the effective functioning of a mathematics laboratory, it should
be well equipped. A mathematics laboratory, it should contain the following
materials and equipments.
Materials
10

1. Concrete materials:
The mathematics laboratory should contain materials such as beads,
pebbles, sticks, balance, weights, measuring instruments which are very
helpful for demonstrating elementary mathematical concepts.
2. Tracing material
Tracing papers, chart papers, graph papers, carbon papers, brushes,
drawing papers, ink etc.
3. Pictures and charts
Pictures and charts depicting different mathematical concepts should
find a place in the mathematics laboratory. Pictures of mathematicians,
charts showing the contributions of mathematicians, history of
mathematicians also very helpful in inspiring students and can be placed in
the mathematics laboratory.
4. Models
Various mathematical models which will offer opportunities for
students to explore and investigate should be placed in the mathematics
laboratory.


Instruments and Equipments
1. Drawing instruments
2. Weighing and measuring instruments
3. Surveying instruments
11

4. Projected aids
5. Proportional devices
6. Computing devices
Slide rules
Calculators
Computers



Mathematics laboratory is a place where the students can
learn and explore mathematical concepts and verify mathematical facts and
theorems through a variety of activities using different materials. It is a place
where students solve real life problems with real data because complex
calculations are no longer a major consideration. In mathematics laboratory
students can express their answers to mathematical problems in decimal
numbers and not in symbols and have a good idea about their magnitudes. It
helps to develop the creativity among the students. In mathematics laboratory
students are free to discuss themselves and with the teachers; in fact students
and teachers form joint investigating teams. In mathematics laboratory
12

students are encouraged to find alternative solutions and alternative methods
of solving problems and also students can enjoy the subject.
Reference:
Aggarwal, J.C, Principles, Methods & Techniques of teaching (2
nd

edition). New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd, 2001.
James, Anice, Teaching of Mathematics. New Delhi: Neelkamal
Publications Pvt. Ltd, 2005.
Mangal, S.K, Teaching of Mathematics. Ludhiana: Prakash Brothers
Educational publishers.
http://dotsystems.in /mathematics-laboratory-schools
http://en. Wikipedia org/wiki/laboratory
http://mathedu. Hbcse.tifr.res.in/resources/maths-lab