Article published in Longmeadow Neighbors
(January 2024)

Did you know that math is everywhere - even in the snowflakes that make up the magic of winter?!? At Mathnasium, our tutors build a love and appreciation for math, and can help your students start the new year off right with math!

First things first, let's talk about what makes snowflakes so special. Snowflakes are like nature's tiny, frozen artists, and did you know that each one is unique, just like you? That's where the math comes in. Mathematicians love to study patterns and shapes, and snowflakes are like their frozen playground.

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of snowflake math. Snowflakes are made up of ice crystals, and these crystals arrange themselves in hexagonal shapes. Hexagons are like the superheroes of geometry—they have six sides and six corners. So, if you ever wondered why snowflakes often have six points, it's because of the hexagons they're made of!

But here's the really cool part: if you look closely at a snowflake, you'll notice something even more magical. The branches and arms of the snowflake create a stunning pattern. This pattern is based on something called fractals. Fractals are like never-ending patterns that repeat on different scales, just like a snowflake's intricate design.

Now, let's talk about multiplication with a frosty twist. Imagine you have a snowflake, and each branch has 6 points. If you count the total points on the snowflake, you can figure out the multiplication: 6 branches x 6 points = 36 points in total! See, math can be as delightful as catching snowflakes on your tongue.

Now, let's sprinkle some symmetry into our snowflake math adventure. Symmetry is when something is the same on both sides, like a mirror image. Snowflakes are like nature's perfect examples of symmetry. Challenge yourself to find the mirror line on a snowflake, and you'll uncover the hidden secrets of symmetry in math.

Snowflake math is a winter wonderland filled with hexagons, fractals, multiplication, division, and symmetry - and at Mathnasium, we help you find the fun in math!  The next time you catch a snowflake on your mittens, remember the magical math that makes each one a unique masterpiece. 

Need to sharpen your skills?  Visit mathnasium.com to see how we can help your students reach their math goals!

More contributions from Alison McDonough