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'Snookered' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/
Why do this problem?
The problem develops visualisation. Students may be interested
because snooker is a popular game and they may be impressed that
expert players can judge the angle of the shot accurately to bounce
of two, three or even 4 walls and hit the target. One way to solve
the problem is to use coordinates, similar triangles and
gradients.
Possible approach
Work through one of the cases as a class together and then suggest
that students draw a diagram. Then discuss the diagram as a class
before the students calculate the various paths.
Key question
How can we turn into a straight line the path and the reflected
path after the ball bounces off a cushion?
Possible support
Initially ignore the pink and blueballs which might be in the way
of the shot.
See also
Cushion Ball which has an interactivity.
Possible extension
See the article
In
Space Do All The Roads Lead Home?