# Mathematical Brooding over an Egg

## André Heck

### AMSTEL Institute

### Universiteit van Amsterdam

#### Author Information

André Heck is project manager at the Faculty of Science of the Universiteit van Amsterdam, The Netherlands. His research area is the application of ICT in mathematics and science education. You may contact him by e-mail, or visit his personal home page for more information about his projects and research interests.

#### Abstract

Algebra and geometry can be brought to life with dynamic geometry software that aloows the use of digital images. I illustrate how a mathematical investigation of an egg could look like. Central question is: “What is the volume and surface area of a hen’s egg?” I hope and expect to give an inspiring example of functional ICT use in a practical investigation at secondary school level, in which mathematics is linked to doing experiments with an object from daily life.

#### Technologies Used in This Article

- This article uses Java (1.4.2 or later) for several interactive applets created with GeoGebra. You may need to install or upgrade the Java plug-in.
- The following HTML symbols are used: − (minus), ′ (prime). If these do not display, you may need to upgrade your browser.
- The section about easy data collection in GeoGebra and regression analysis uses frames.

#### Keywords

- digital images
- analytic geometry
- dynamic geometry software (GeoGebra)

#### Publication data

- Published February, 2008
- Copyright © 2008, André J.P. Heck

### Contents

1. Introduction
2. Measuring is no piece of cake
3. The egg as a surface of revolution
4. A geometric approach
5. Computing with ellipses and eggs
6. An algebraic approach
7. The egg curve as a regression curve
8. Easy data collection in GeoGebra and regression analysis
9. A potpourri of mathematical egg curves
10. Dynamic use of digital images in GeoGebra
11. Bringing mathematics to life via digital images and vice versa
12. References