Mathematical Equipment
Throughout school pupils should carry with them certain mathematical instruments in order to properly answer questions that they may face. Fortunately, beyond a pen, pencil and an eraser, there isn’t really a lot that is needed and most can be purchased very cheaply. There is a separate page for calculators.
Rulers: A 15cm ruler is essential for drawing shapes and graphs and for measuring work. A 30cm ruler can also come in handy, but isn’t essential.
Protractor: A piece of transparent plastic, usually in the shape of a semi-circle, but sometimes a full circle. It is needed to measure angles and is an essential piece of equipment up to GCSE.
Compass: There are several different types of compass and they are all used for drawing circular arcs. There are high-end compasses which can be quite expensive. These aren’t necessary. A simple plastic compass will suffice providing its mechanism to secure the pencil is secure.
All of the above items can be bought as part of a maths set. Cheap sets are available in the big supermarkets, usually for under a pound. Although these can be good, I would recommend spending slightly more on a Helix set.
The Helix Value Set contains a good compass and is the set that I use myself. Another set to consider is the Helix Oxford Maths Set which uses a more sturdy tin, instead of a plastic case.
A note on dividers and set squares – these may come in handy for other subjects such as graphical design, but they are not really needed for maths.
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