Add to order
PURPOSE: To illustrate exponential increase from 1 through 263.
DESCRIPTION: The transparent chessboard serves as the starting point for the progression. Rice can be put on the chessboard for 1 through 25 (32) grains. Use beakers for 26 through 217 grains. (Note: 1 ml = 64 grains, approximately.) The approximate volume of rice for successive powers of two are:
- 218 - 220: small waste basket, to 5.6, 11, and 22 cm, respectively.
- 221 - 222: large waste basket to 31 and 62 cm, respectively.
- 223 - 227: area of 1mx2m lecture table to 6.5, 13, 25, 50, and 100 cm, respectively.
- 228 - 237: area of front of room to 1, 2, 4, .......512 cm, respectively.
- 221 - 222: large waste basket to 31 and 62 cm, respectively.
The total amount of rice is 263 - 1, or about 9.2x1018 grains. This is approximately four crops at 100 bushels per acre, with the entire land area of earth (about 4x1011 acres) planted with rice!
SUGGESTIONS: Tell them the story about the invention of chess.
REFERENCES: (PIRA unknown.)
EQUIPMENT: Rice, labeled containers through 216, transparent chess board.
SETUP TIME: 5 min.
