La pastisseria, la guerra de les galàxies i les matemàtiques

Abstract

Even though we are often not aware of it, mathematics is all around us. It can be found in many mechanical and electronic devices that we use daily, in the geometrical shape of some food products, in cinematic special effects, and so on. In this paper, our aim is to show some of the mathematics that can be found in a couple of familiar items, namely the pastry product known as a doughnut, and the famous Death Star from the Star Wars saga. We will focus on calculating their volume using a mathematical foundations well known by post-compulsory secondary school students (scientific branch). At the end of each section, some complementary activities are suggested as a way of interconnecting elements of the mathematics to give an overall view of this science, rather than just presenting a collection of unrelated technical skills.