The Modulo operator Unplugged

Steps

1. Ask: what month comes after December? What day is 4 days before Friday?
2. If you park at 5pm for 8 hours, when does the ticket run out? Add 8 to 17 and wrap around the 24-hour clock.
3. Show a clock with only ten positions. Start at 0, add numbers and say where you land.
4. Connect to remainders: 23 divided by 10 leaves 3, which is the same as where you land after going round the ten-point clock.
5. Practise with different clock sizes and numbers.
6. Discuss where wrapping around is useful, like repeating patterns, turns and angles.

Talk about it

• What does going round the clock have to do with remainders?
• Where do you meet wrap-around in everyday life?
• What would a clock with 7 points look like?