Soap films and GeoGebra in the study of Fermat and Steiner points

ABSTRACT

We discuss how mathematics and secondary mathematics education majors developed an understanding of Fermat points for the triangle as well as Steiner points for the square and regular pentagon, and also of soap film configurations between parallel plates where forces are in equilibrium. The activities included the use of soap films and the interactive geometry program GeoGebra. Students worked in small groups using these tools to investigate the properties of Fermat and Steiner points and then justified the results of their investigations using geometrical arguments. These activities are specific approaches of how to encourage prospective teachers to use physical experiments to support students’ development of mathematical curiosity and mathematical justifications.

KEYWORDS:

• Fermat point
• Steiner points
• soap films
• minimal sum distances
• GeoGebra
• surface tension
• equilibrium of forces

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.