Overview

This captivating 'Life of Fred' math book is part of an innovative series that seamlessly weaves math concepts into an engaging narrative, following the journey of a character named Fred. These books make learning math an enjoyable adventure, fostering deep understanding and a lifelong love for the subject.

Fred does physics before algebra.


Learn . . .

  • How ducks and cows pronounce µ differently
  • Why no one can weigh 55 kilograms
  • How Kingie could move a safe that superman couldn't


. . . and even some elementary physics:

  • Numerals
  • Making models
  • Nineteen conversion factor problems
  • Area of a rectangle
  • Friction independent of speed
  • Constants of Proportionality
  • Exact speed of light
  • Continuous and discrete variables
  • Story of the meter
  • Pendulums
  • Oblate spheroids
  • Square roots
  • Normal forces
  • Coefficient of friction
  • Solving d = rt for r
  • Graphing points
  • Ordered pairs
  • Why rocks stop falling
  • Hunch-conjecture-theory-law
  • Simultaneity doesn't exist
  • Inductive and deductive reasoning
  • How fossils and astronomy are connected
  • Hooke's law
  • Three meanings of plastic
  • Static vs. kinetic friction
  • Nine forms of energy
  • Energy Cards game
  • Experimentally finding the coefficient of static friction without knowing the weight of the object
  • Resolving a vector into its components
  • Addition of vectors
  • Similar triangles
  • Slope
  • Physicists think that there isn't any work in holding a bowling ball
  • Kelvin temperature
  • Law of conservation of energy
  • Perpetual motion machines
  • Kilowatt-hours
  • Photosynthesis
  • Metric system
  • Gregorian calendar
  • Two ways to measure mass
  • Definition of pi
  • Inertia
  • Newton's first and second laws
  • Definition of pressure
  • Exponents
  • Density of neutron stars
  • Computing the mass of an iron atom
  • Cavalieri's principle
  • Pressure at a given depth
  • Buoyancy
  • Finding the volume of a desk lamp
  • Air has mass
  • Why 35-foot straws don't work
  • Gedankenexperiments
  • Elliptical constructions
  • Galvani and dead frogs that twitch
  • Schematic drawings in electrical circuits
  • Electrons per second in an ampere
  • Ohm's law
  • Batteries in series
  • Computing resistance in parallel circuits
  • Dangers of electricity—Thomas Merton
  • History of the atom
  • Principal quantum number
  • Orbital quantum number
  • Orbital magnetic quantum number
  • Spin magnetic quantum number
  • Positron

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome!

    2. Gather your materials

    1. Lab 1: Prisms

    2. Lab 2: Pyramids

    3. Lab 3: Antiprisms

    4. Lab 4: Platonic Solids

    5. Lab 5: Perfect Circles

    6. Lab 6: Try a Triangle

    7. Lab 7: Exact Ellipses

    8. Lab 8: Draw Giant Circles & Ellipses

    1. Lab 9: Compare and Classify Shapes

    2. Lab 10: Möbius Strips

    3. Lab 11: Möbius Surprise

    1. Lab 12: Map Coloring Basics

    2. Lab 13: Efficient Map Coloring

    3. Lab 14: Squiggle Maps

    1. Lab 15: Drawing Parabolas

    2. Lab 16: Stitching Stars

    3. Lab 17: Creative Curves

    1. Lab 18: Draw a Sierpinski Triangle

    2. Lab 19: Build a Sierpinski Triangle

    3. Lab 20: Draw a Koch Snowflake

    4. Lab 21: Draw a Square Fractal Snowflake

    5. Lab 22: Explore the Koch Snowflake Perimeter

About this course

  • Free
  • 39 lessons
  • K-8

Pricing options