Math Hacks for Scratch

Push Scratch programming to the limits as you explore primes, Fibonacci numbers, Pascal’s triangle, and other mathematical curiosities through hands-on coding projects.

If you’re a student looking for project ideas to practice your math and coding skills, or a Scratch enthusiast just looking for something different, this is the book for you!

Discover the exciting intersection of mathematics and programming with Math Hacks for Scratch®. This book is perfect for kids, educators, and programming enthusiasts eager to learn or teach math through fun, hands-on projects using Scratch, the popular visual programming language.

You’ll see how a little bit of planning, combined with the right mathematical or coding tricks, can make complex calculations doable. These are the “hacks” mentioned in the title. You’ll write programs to speed up factoring big numbers, sort out a pizza party with Pascal’s triangle, explore Fibonacci’s famous sequence for counting rabbits, use cryptography to create unbreakable secret codes, and so much more.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Step-by-Step Projects: Learn how to create interactive games, animations, and simulations that bring math concepts to life. Convert between binary and decimal to see how computers keep track of numbers. Make sense of patterns in lists, sequences, and arrays. Encode cryptograms, unscramble secret messages, and crack the Caesar cipher.
• Real-World Applications: See how math is used every day to calculate probabilities in games and create dynamic graphics.
• Expert Guidance: Benefit from the insights of author Michael Mays, a seasoned math educator with a PhD in mathematics and a 40-year teaching career.
• Accessible Learning: Ideal for both beginners and experienced programmers, this book offers clear explanations and practical examples that make learning fun and easy.

Whether you’re a beginning coder wanting to enhance your Scratch skills, a teacher looking to inspire students, or a parent supporting your child’s education, Math Hacks for Scratch provides the tools to turn coding projects into math adventures.

Michael Mays has a PhD in mathematics from Penn State University. His teaching career at West Virginia University spanned 40 years, including roles as director of the Institute for Math Learning and chair of the Department of Statistics. His innovative approach to math education has earned him recognition as an Eberly Teaching Professor.