Archimedes
Archimedes was born about 287 B.C in Syracuse. He was a Greek
mathematician and inventor. His father was an astronomer. Archimedes invented
machines. The most important of these machines was the screw pump, which uses a
screw to lift water from one place to another.
He explained why levers worked, and he worked on getting a more accurate
number for pi. Pi is a number that is approximately equal to 3.14. It is the number you
get if you divide the circumference of any circle by its diameter. It's the same for all
circles. Usually in math we write “pi” with the Greek letter π, which is the letter "p"
in Greek. You pronounce it "pie", like apple pie. It is called “pi” because π is the first
letter of the Greek word "perimetros" or perimeter.
The legend says that Archimedes invented a large solar mirror to set fire to
Roman ships attacking Syracuse, Sicily. He also invented the catapult.
Archimedes was interested in big numbers. One day, he he decided to find
how many grains of sand it would take to fill the universe. First, he counted how
much sand it would take to make up a poppy seed. Then, he counted how many seeds
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would equal the size of a man’s finger. Next, he calculated how many fingers it would
take to fill a stadium.
Archimedes continued and found this answer:
This was not the true answer but Archimedes found an easy way to write large
numbers.
Archimedes died in 212 B.C., when the Romans were conquering Syracuse; a
Roman soldier killed him.
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Answer
Where was Archimedes born?
a)
b)
c)
d)
In Syracuse, Italy
In Athens, Greece
In Samos, Greece
In Macedonia, Greece
What was his job?
a)
b)
c)
d)
A teacher
A mathematician and inventor
A soldier
A doctor
What did he use to set fire to the Roman ships?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Oil
Petrol
A solar mirror
Matches
What is a “pi”?
a)
b)
c)
d)
The circle’s radius
A number that is approximately equal to 3.14.
The circle’s diameter
The circle’s circumference
“Pi” comes from the Greek word
a)
b)
c)
d)
Perimeter
Perivoli
Periferia
Periergia
Archimedes explained why ___________work
a)
b)
c)
d)
Screws
Levers
Circles
Mirrors
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Glossary
1. Inventor=εφευρέτης
2. Invent=εφευρίσκω
3. Machine=μηχανή (μασίν)
4. Astronomer=αστρονόμος
5. Conquer=κατακτώ (κόνκερ)
6. Soldier=στρατιώτης (σόλτζερ)
7. Solar=ηλιακός
8. Set fire to=βάζω φωτιά σε
9. Attack=επιτίθεμαι
10. Divide=διαιρώ (ντιβάιντ)
11. Circumference=περίμετρος (σερκάμφερανς)
12. Radius=ακτίνα (ρέιντιους)
13. Diameter=διάμετρος (ντάιμιτερ)
14. Legend=θρύλος
15. Screw=βίδα (σκριου)
Vocabulary exercise
1. Someone who invents things is an _______________
2. Write the correct word
3. In this photo, Archimedes is holding a ____________mirror
4. The _____________says that Archimedes set fire to the Roman ships.
5. Pi is the number you get if you ___________the Circumference of any circle
by its diameter.
6. A ____________killed Archimedes.
7. The 3rd picture shows a ___________.
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Answer
Where was Archimedes born?
e)
f)
g)
h)
In Syracuse, Italy
In Athens, Greece
In Samos, Greece
In Macedonia, Greece
What was his job?
e)
f)
g)
h)
A teacher
A mathematician and inventor
A soldier
A doctor
What did he use to set fire to the Roman ships?
e)
f)
g)
h)
Oil
Petrol
A solar mirror
Matches
What is a “pi”?
e)
f)
g)
h)
The circle’s radius
A number that is approximately equal to 3.14.
The circle’s diameter
The circle’s circumference
“Pi” comes from the Greek word
e)
f)
g)
h)
Perimeter
Perivoli
Periferia
Periergia
Archimedes explained why ___________work
e)
f)
g)
h)
Screws
Levers
Circles
Mirrors
5
My name:_________________________
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