• Group Theory

    Discovering Group Theory, Day 2

    Topics:

    • Rotational symmetry
    • Identity
    • Inverse
    • Formal definition of a group
    • Group product

    On Day 2, we considered only rotations of various polygons around their geometric centers. After a systematic hands-on investigation and cataloguing of rotations which leave a polygon unchanged, we identified the identity transformations and the inverse of each rotation. The class concluded we the formal definition of a group.

    A white board with drawn polygons and lists of the rotations which leave it looking the same.
    Cataloguing rotations of various polygons which leave them unchanged.