BBP Activity 12: Python Math Module Exercises

:video_game: Activity Time!

Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
What You'll Create: Three awesome mathematical calculators using Python's math module!

• A smart discount calculator for shop prices
• A Pythagorean theorem calculator to find triangle sides
• A turret rotation calculator using trigonometry (like in video games!)

Before You Start:

:white_check_mark: Make sure you're logged into EduBlocks
:white_check_mark: Have a calculator handy for checking your work
:white_check_mark: Remember to save your work every 5-10 minutes
:white_check_mark: You'll be creating 3 separate projects today

Getting Started with EduBlocks

1. Go to EduBlocks and login:
   https://app.edublocks.org/login

2. For each new exercise:

   • Click on the "Editor" icon to start fresh
   • To continue working, click on the "Projects" icon

Setup Steps:

1. Select Python 3 mode from the options
2. Name your project clearly:
   • Exercise (Math) 1 - Discount Calculator
   • Exercise (Math) 2 - Pythagorean Calculator
   • Exercise (Math) 3 - Turret Calculator
3. Click "Start Coding" and then "Save" at the top-right

:bulb: Save Your Progress!

Set a timer for every 10 minutes to remind yourself to save. This prevents losing your hard work!

:hammer_and_wrench: Let's Build Your Math Calculators!

Exercise (Math) 1 - Discount Calculator :emoji:

The Challenge: You're working at a food shop during a special 30% OFF sale! Your job is to quickly calculate the new prices for all menu items.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Import the math module by dragging the import math block to your workspace

2. Create an input block to ask for the original price:

   • Drag the input() block
   • Add the prompt: "Enter the original price: $"
   • Store it in a variable called price

3. Calculate the discount:

   • Create a new variable called discount_amount
   • Use math blocks to calculate: price * 0.3 (that's 30%!)

4. Find the new price:

   • Create a variable called new_price
   • Calculate: price - discount_amount

5. Round up using math.ceil():

   • Drag the math.ceil() block
   • Put your new_price inside it
   • This ensures we don't have weird decimal prices!

6. Display the result:

   • Use a print() block to show the final price

:bulb: Why Round Up?

In real stores, prices like $3.21 are often rounded to $3.25 or $4.00 to make giving change easier. The math.ceil() function always rounds UP to the next whole number!

Exercise (Math) 2 - Pythagorean Theorem Calculator :emoji:

The Challenge: Create a calculator that finds the longest side (hypotenuse) of a right triangle! This is super useful in games for calculating distances.

Understanding the Pythagorean Theorem:

The formula is: c² = a² + b² (where c is the hypotenuse)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Import the math module (if not already imported)

2. Get the first side length:

   • Drag an input() block
   • Add prompt: "Enter side a: "
   • Convert to float and store in variable a

3. Get the second side length:

   • Drag another input() block
   • Add prompt: "Enter side b: "
   • Convert to float and store in variable b

4. Square both sides using math.pow():

   • Create variable a_squared = math.pow(a, 2)
   • Create variable b_squared = math.pow(b, 2)

5. Add the squares together:

   • Create variable c_squared = a_squared + b_squared

6. Find the square root:

   • Use math.sqrt(c_squared) to get the hypotenuse
   • Store in variable hypotenuse

7. Display the result:

   • Print: "The hypotenuse is: [result]"

:bulb: Real-World Connection

The Pythagorean theorem is used in video games to calculate the distance between characters, in construction to ensure buildings are square, and even in GPS navigation!

Exercise (Math) 3 - Turret Rotation Calculator :dart:

The Challenge: You're a ninja dodging a rotating turret! Calculate how many degrees the turret needs to turn to track your movement. This uses the same math that video games use for enemy AI!

The Scenario:

• You run around the turret, staying exactly 250 meters away
• You want to know: How many degrees does the turret rotate?

The Math Formula:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Import math module (if needed)

2. Get the distance the ninja ran:

   • Drag an input() block
   • Add prompt: "How far did the ninja run (in meters)? "
   • Convert to float and store in variable distance_run

3. Set the radius (distance from turret):

   • Create variable radius = 250 (this is constant)

4. Calculate the angle in radians:

   • The formula is: angle = distance / radius
   • Create variable angle_radians = distance_run / radius

5. Convert radians to degrees:

   • Radians x (180/π) = Degrees
   • Use: angle_degrees = angle_radians * (180 / math.pi)

6. Display the result:

   • Print: "The turret rotates [result] degrees"

:bulb: Understanding Radians vs Degrees

• Radians are how mathematicians measure angles
• Degrees are what we use in everyday life (360° in a circle)
• Python's math functions use radians, so we often need to convert!

Test Your Calculator:

• If the ninja runs 300 meters, the turret should rotate about 68.75 degrees
• Try different distances to see how the angle changes!

:mag: Troubleshooting Tips

Common Issues and Solutions:

1. "NameError: name 'math' is not defined"

   • Solution: Make sure you have import math at the very top of your code!

2. Getting decimal numbers in the discount calculator?

   • Remember to use math.ceil() to round up
   • Check that you're applying it to the final price

3. Pythagorean calculator giving wrong answers?

   • Double-check you're using math.pow(a, 2) not math.pow(2, a)
   • Make sure you're taking the square root at the end

4. Turret calculator showing huge numbers?

   • You might be in radians! Remember to convert to degrees
   • Use the formula: degrees = radians * (180 / math.pi)

:trophy: Challenge Yourself!

Once you've completed all three exercises, try these bonus challenges:

1. Discount Calculator Plus:

   • Add different discount percentages (10%, 20%, 50%)
   • Let the user choose which discount to apply

2. Triangle Calculator Deluxe:

   • Modify your calculator to find ANY side of the triangle
   • Add error checking (sides must be positive numbers!)

3. Advanced Turret Tracker:

   • Calculate how long it takes the turret to rotate at different speeds
   • Add multiple ninjas at different distances

:books: Python Connection

The blocks you're using create real Python code:

• import math -> Gives you access to advanced math functions
• math.ceil() -> Always rounds UP (ceiling)
• math.sqrt() -> Square root function
• math.pow() -> Raises numbers to any power
• math.pi -> The value of π (3.14159...)

:white_check_mark: Checklist Before Submission

Make sure each exercise has:

• Import math statement at the beginning
• Clear input prompts that tell users what to enter
• Proper calculations using math module functions
• Formatted output that's easy to understand
• Been tested with the example values

:emoji: Project Submission

When you have completed all three "Python Math Module Exercises", submit them using the link below:

Submit Your Project Here

Important: You need to submit 3 separate project links - one for each exercise. Make sure to:

1. Save each project with a clear name
2. Test each calculator thoroughly
3. Get the share link for each project
4. Submit all three links in the form

Great job exploring the power of Python's math module! :tada: