Number Art: Drawing Spirals with Multiples

For kids

Let's make cool spiral art using multiplication! By connecting multiples of a number in a circle, you can create amazing patterns.

What You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Ruler or compass
• Colored pencils or markers

Creating Your Spiral Art

1. Draw a Circle: Use a compass or trace a circular object to draw a large circle on your paper.
2. Mark the Points: Using a ruler, make evenly spaced dots around the edge of the circle. Number each dot, starting with 1 and going all the way around (e.g., if you have 30 dots, number them 1 to 30).
3. Choose Your Multiple: Pick a number to multiply by (like 2, 3, 4, or 5). This is your "multiple".
4. Connect the Dots: Start at dot number 1. Multiply 1 by your multiple. For example, if your multiple is 2, then 1 x 2 = 2. Draw a line from dot 1 to dot 2.
5. Keep Going: Now, multiply 2 by your multiple. If your multiple is 2, then 2 x 2 = 4. Draw a line from dot 2 to dot 4.
6. Wrap Around: If your answer is bigger than the number of dots you have, subtract the number of dots until you get a number within your range. For example, if you have 30 dots, and you get 32, then 32 - 30 = 2. Draw a line to dot 2.
7. Continue: Keep going around the circle, multiplying the next number by your multiple and drawing lines until you connect back to where you started. You should see a cool spiral pattern forming!
8. Color It In! Use colored pencils or markers to add color to your design. You can color each section differently or use a gradient effect.

Why This Works

The spiral patterns appear because of the way multiplication and remainders work. When you multiply and "wrap around" the circle, you're essentially finding the remainder after dividing by the number of dots. These remainders create the repeating patterns that form the spiral.

Try This Next!

• Different Multiples: Try using different multiples (like 3, 4, or 5) to see how the patterns change.
• More Dots: Use more dots around the circle for more detailed patterns.
• Different Shapes: Instead of a circle, try using a square or other shape.

Have fun creating amazing number art! Experiment with different multiples and colors to make your own unique designs. You'll be surprised at the beautiful patterns you can create with just a little math and creativity!