How To Learn Geometry, Physics, And Strategy From Playing A Game

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How To Learn Geometry, Physics, And Strategy From Playing A Game

How To Learn Geometry, Physics, And Strategy From Playing A Game

18 December 2019
 Categories:
, Blog


Some kids do not like to learn. You almost have to trick them into learning something by making it fun. If you have children who refuse to learn geometry, physics, and strategic logic, there is one game that can teach the kids all of the above, and still be fun enough for them to want to play. It is pool, and here is how a pool table teaches your kids these particular subjects.

Geometry

First and foremost, you have a rectangular table with six pockets. There can be three to twenty-two balls on a pool table at any one time and depending on the game. For the sake of argument, let's say that you are going to teach the kids how to play eight-ball, which has sixteen balls and the white cue ball on the table. Kids take turns hitting the cue ball toward a solid-colored ball or a striped ball. Depending on who sinks what solid or striped ball first, that is how the balls are divided.

Very quickly, the kids will figure out that a straight-on shot of cue ball to the colored ball does not always get the ball in the desired pocket, and that balls frequently ricochet off of the sides of the pool table and hit other balls. Now you can step in and point out that to get the balls to do what they want, they have to figure out how to hit a ball at an angle so that it hits a side of the pool table, bounces off, and in a sort of angular fashion, hits the desired ball. Kids will have to picture how the angles of the balls are formed, and where the balls will go when hit from different angles. They are learning geometry.

Strategy

Pool is a game of strategy. Players have to think ahead, figure out what the other players are going to do, and decide what balls they will aim for next. The strategy is to get more balls in pockets before their turn ends, which requires both practice and thinking ahead. If you cannot get a kid to play chess and learn strategy, you may be able to get them to play pool and learn the same skills. 

Physics

Newton's laws of motion are perfectly demonstrated in a game of pool. The first law states that a body at rest remains at rest until acted upon by another body or it continues to move at a constant velocity until a second body uses force to stop it. The cue ball moves the resting colored balls, which in turn may either move other balls at rest or be forced to stop their own movement when they hit the side of the table. The second law requires examining the weight of the balls and how they will affect each other's movements on the table, while the third law is perfectly represented by the "equal and opposite force and reaction" of one ball hitting the other. Kids are learning physics playing pool, whether or not they want to learn physics.

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Staying Safe While Playing Sports

About a year ago, I started focusing more heavily on staying safe while I played sports with friends. It was incredible to see how much of a difference it made. Instead of heading to the hospital a few times during the year, I was able to save money, live better, and focus on my technique rather than my healing. It was incredible to see how much better I felt, and I was really impressed with the equipment that I had picked up. This website is all about helping people to understand the importance of using the right gear while playing sports.