The Domino Effect is a phrase used to describe a chain reaction that begins with one small action and causes a larger series of events. The idea is that the first domino, just like a physical domino, has inertia and will resist motion until some outside force starts pushing on it. When that happens, it will then tip over and start the domino effect. This is the same concept behind the popular game of dominoes, in which players place small squares on end in long lines. When tipped, the first domino will cause others to fall and then more and more until all of them have fallen in a chain. This is why the domino effect can be a great way to illustrate an event that has many unforeseen consequences.
The most common dominoes are made of polymer, usually a type of plastic. They have a black or white background with pips (or spots) that resemble those on dice. The pips may be painted or inlaid, and the dominoes can be colored in bright or muted shades. They are generally used for playing games that involve a sequence of steps, such as adding or subtracting numbers. The dominoes can also be stacked in intricate patterns for display purposes.
In addition to polymer, dominoes can be made from a variety of natural materials, including silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, bone and dark hardwoods such as ebony. A number of different styles of domino sets are available, ranging from simple block games for two players to scoring games such as bergen and muggins. The number of pips on each domino determines its suit. Doubles belong to one suit, and singles belong to another.
A domino can be a good tool for teaching students how to perform addition and subtraction. To do this, a teacher can demonstrate how to add two dominoes together by choosing a domino that has four dots on one side and two dots on the other. The class can then name the addition equation that represents the relation between these two numbers, for example 4 + 2 = 6.
Another way in which the domino is used in education is by allowing students to play with a set and create their own domino chains. This can help develop the student’s ability to recognize patterns and to visualize numbers. Students can work in pairs or small groups to try this activity, and the teacher can assess their responses.
A skillful player of a domino game may be able to score points by being the first to reach a specific number, often 61. To do this, a player must play a domino that matches an open end of another tile in the chain. Each time the total of pips on these matching ends is divisible by 5 or 3, the player scores one point. A domino must be played to a double, and the double must touch at both ends in order to score.