Domino is a game of skill and luck that involves arranging pieces to form a line or chain. A piece can be any shape, but most commonly it is a rectangular tile with a value engraved on each end. The values range from six pips to none or blank, depending on the particular domino set. The engraved number is usually marked in a sequence of spots, but can also be in Arabic numerals or other characters.
The most popular game of domino involves forming chains of tiles, called dominoes, in a row, either side to side or horizontally. The aim is to place the dominoes so that their adjacent faces match and form a complete circle. Players take turns placing dominoes in order to complete the chain. Whenever a player can not place another dominoes because the other side does not match, they forfeit their turn. The game is best played on a hard surface, such as a tabletop or floor, to prevent the pieces from sliding around on the carpet or other soft surfaces.
In business, the concept of domino effect is used to describe the way that one small event can cause a series of larger events. The term is based on the idea that a domino can fall over and hit its neighbor, which will then knock over other dominoes in its path, and so on. This concept is often used in political commentary and was cited by President Eisenhower in his explanation of America’s decision to offer aid to South Vietnam during the Cold War.
A business can experience a domino effect when a key employee leaves the company and has no successor in place. In such a situation, a business must quickly find a new leader who can guide the company and provide stability. Otherwise, the company may go under or fade into obscurity.
When a business experiences a domino effect, it can have devastating consequences. This is especially true if the domino effect is caused by a fire. Fortunately, there are many different fire safety measures that can be taken to help prevent these disasters.
While many people think of the term “domino effect” in terms of the chain reaction of a falling domino, it can be applied to any situation where one small trigger causes a series of larger events. The term was first coined by writer Robert Alsop, who used the example of a domino falling over and hitting its neighbors to illustrate how Communism could spread from one country to the next. Today, the phrase is widely accepted and used in all types of situations.
Teachers can use dominoes in a variety of classroom activities. One simple activity involves having students pick a domino from a stack or bag and then naming an addition equation that matches the number of dots on both sides of the domino. This exercise helps students understand the commutative property of addition and can bridge the transition between using moveable manipulatives and only using symbolic representations such as numbers and equations.