I have a math question

[Teacher Mark 53]

Hope this isn't a math class.

We need math teachers on VJ. From some PMs I've gotten at least I know some of my previous science classes here have done something to make some folks understand some basics...

Actually...one of the high points of my ESL career was when I was asked to teach 5 math classes a few weeks ago. Thankfully it was starter math. I am from West Virginia after all.

Edited September 7, 2009 by Mr. Saigon

[HAL 9000 96]

Sad and wrong Mr S... a good friend just finished a Masters in Chemistry at WVU...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Hope this isn't a math class.

LOL. Exactly what I thought.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

What do you need algebra for? Should put far more emphasis on adding and subtraction so a person knows they got a loan with payments that exceeds their income. Bankers can't even add nor subtract.

Ha! The Jeep is almost paid off. So, there!

[Teacher Mark 53]

Sad and wrong Mr S... a good friend just finished a Masters in Chemistry at WVU...

I'm sure he or she is about to move out of WV?

I'm teaching math again tomorrow.

[NickD 203]

Really some important stuff in algebra, ten years ago I was twice as old as my sister, today, I am three years older than she, how old are both of us today?

Differential and integral calculus is only good if the problem is either differentiable or integrable. If they are, getting a simple constant to remember, if not, worthless. Differential equations would always be difficult equations. Figures never lie, but liars figure.

For me, mathematics has been just a tool to get a job done, but for my college professor math teachers, math is their life, and that's just about all they know. If a circuit required matrix algebra to analyze, it won't work in production, would drive everyone nuts.

[tmma 467]

**geek moment alert**

because I hold advanced degrees heavily rooted in mathematics I occasionally I get asked by the district to do College Algebra prep and Pre algebra classes (short of math teachers here). Most in the pre algebra classes have one thing in common-their 'fear' of maths..

The problem is mostly them not grasping BASIC mathematics properly when they were younger before being shuffled into the next class.

If you understand the basics-and build on that by understanding the intuitive aspects BEFORE moving on to the not so intuitive side of mathematics and are well taught to recognize patterns and remember basic rules-advanced mathematics is nothing to be intimidated by. I have an almost 100% first time pass sucess rate for my college algebra prep class in their College Algebra course-and most of those students are moving on to advanced math classes for their science/engineering or such degrees.

I really enjoy maths...It is the timeless, purest truly international language of all.

**geek moment done**

Edited September 8, 2009 by tmma

[Jenn! 918]

I have an almost 100% first time pass sucess rate for my college algebra prep class in their College Algebra course-and most of those students are moving on to advanced math classes for their science/engineering or such degrees.

That's awesome!

So true what you said about basic math. If you don't have an intuitive feel for what you're doing, you will never retain anything and any subsequent learning will be impossible.

I remember trying to teach the quotient rule to a calculus student of mine. I had to sidetrack for a moment to explain what a "quotient" was. It became apparent that he didn't even *really* understand what it meant to divide - he could tell you that 4 divided by 2 is 2, but he didn't grasp what that meant. He also didn't understand the relationship between division and fractions. I started tutoring him all the way back to 4th grade math concepts to try to catch him up, but there just wasn't enough time in the day.

[Ban Hammer 14,794]

**geek moment alert**

because I hold advanced degrees heavily rooted in mathematics I occasionally I get asked by the district to do College Algebra prep and Pre algebra classes (short of math teachers here). Most in the pre algebra classes have one thing in common-their 'fear' of maths..

The problem is mostly them not grasping BASIC mathematics properly when they were younger before being shuffled into the next class.

If you understand the basics-and build on that by understanding the intuitive aspects BEFORE moving on to the not so intuitive side of mathematics and are well taught to recognize patterns and remember basic rules-advanced mathematics is nothing to be intimidated by. I have an almost 100% first time pass sucess rate for my college algebra prep class in their College Algebra course-and most of those students are moving on to advanced math classes for their science/engineering or such degrees.

I really enjoy maths...It is the timeless, purest truly international language of all.

**geek moment done**

but yet you still don't know what tagging a photo on fb is

[tmma 467]

**geek moment alert**

because I hold advanced degrees heavily rooted in mathematics I occasionally I get asked by the district to do College Algebra prep and Pre algebra classes (short of math teachers here). Most in the pre algebra classes have one thing in common-their 'fear' of maths..

The problem is mostly them not grasping BASIC mathematics properly when they were younger before being shuffled into the next class.

If you understand the basics-and build on that by understanding the intuitive aspects BEFORE moving on to the not so intuitive side of mathematics and are well taught to recognize patterns and remember basic rules-advanced mathematics is nothing to be intimidated by. I have an almost 100% first time pass sucess rate for my college algebra prep class in their College Algebra course-and most of those students are moving on to advanced math classes for their science/engineering or such degrees.

I really enjoy maths...It is the timeless, purest truly international language of all.

**geek moment done**

but yet you still don't know what tagging a photo on fb is

[mawilson 2,133]

he could tell you that 4 divided by 2 is 2, but he didn't grasp what that meant.

Well since division is the inverse of multiplication, the first step is understanding multiplication, as in 2 x 2 = 4.

[Jenn! 918]

he could tell you that 4 divided by 2 is 2, but he didn't grasp what that meant.

Well since division is the inverse of multiplication, the first step is understanding multiplication, as in 2 x 2 = 4.

Yeah, it would have helped if he understood multiplication.

I think you'd be surprised by the number of people who really don't understand it. They memorized their multiplication tables in grammar school, but don't "get it".

[NickD 203]

**geek moment alert**

because I hold advanced degrees heavily rooted in mathematics I occasionally I get asked by the district to do College Algebra prep and Pre algebra classes (short of math teachers here). Most in the pre algebra classes have one thing in common-their 'fear' of maths..

The problem is mostly them not grasping BASIC mathematics properly when they were younger before being shuffled into the next class.

If you understand the basics-and build on that by understanding the intuitive aspects BEFORE moving on to the not so intuitive side of mathematics and are well taught to recognize patterns and remember basic rules-advanced mathematics is nothing to be intimidated by. I have an almost 100% first time pass sucess rate for my college algebra prep class in their College Algebra course-and most of those students are moving on to advanced math classes for their science/engineering or such degrees.

I really enjoy maths...It is the timeless, purest truly international language of all.

**geek moment done**

[NickD 203]

**geek moment alert**

because I hold advanced degrees heavily rooted in mathematics I occasionally I get asked by the district to do College Algebra prep and Pre algebra classes (short of math teachers here). Most in the pre algebra classes have one thing in common-their 'fear' of maths..

The problem is mostly them not grasping BASIC mathematics properly when they were younger before being shuffled into the next class.

If you understand the basics-and build on that by understanding the intuitive aspects BEFORE moving on to the not so intuitive side of mathematics and are well taught to recognize patterns and remember basic rules-advanced mathematics is nothing to be intimidated by. I have an almost 100% first time pass sucess rate for my college algebra prep class in their College Algebra course-and most of those students are moving on to advanced math classes for their science/engineering or such degrees.

I really enjoy maths...It is the timeless, purest truly international language of all.

**geek moment done**

Also taught math, key problem I quickly discovered is lack of knowledge with fifth grade fractions, like how to add, subtract, multiply, divide, or finding the root or power of a fraction. Most can comprehend that stuff when taught again using numbers, but if you start off with x, y, z, students would be dead lost.

Now if you learn your class can't even count their fingers let alone their toes, you really have your work cut out for you. Or if you see a kid taking off his shoes to do a basic addition problem where the sum is greater than 10, it's time for a stiff drink.

[tmma 467]

**geek moment alert**

because I hold advanced degrees heavily rooted in mathematics I occasionally I get asked by the district to do College Algebra prep and Pre algebra classes (short of math teachers here). Most in the pre algebra classes have one thing in common-their 'fear' of maths..

The problem is mostly them not grasping BASIC mathematics properly when they were younger before being shuffled into the next class.

If you understand the basics-and build on that by understanding the intuitive aspects BEFORE moving on to the not so intuitive side of mathematics and are well taught to recognize patterns and remember basic rules-advanced mathematics is nothing to be intimidated by. I have an almost 100% first time pass sucess rate for my college algebra prep class in their College Algebra course-and most of those students are moving on to advanced math classes for their science/engineering or such degrees.

I really enjoy maths...It is the timeless, purest truly international language of all.

**geek moment done**

Also taught math, key problem I quickly discovered is lack of knowledge with fifth grade fractions, like how to add, subtract, multiply, divide, or finding the root or power of a fraction. Most can comprehend that stuff when taught again using numbers, but if you start off with x, y, z, students would be dead lost.

Now if you learn your class can't even count their fingers let alone their toes, you really have your work cut out for you. Or if you see a kid taking off his shoes to do a basic addition problem where the sum is greater than 10, it's time for a stiff drink.

I get what you are saying, thank goodness, though I have never come across a toe counter ( yet). As I see it-a major problem with the concept of algebra is that math is first taught with real numbers, concrete facts that can be seen & memorized ( 2+2=4). However; when transitioning to algebra where symbols and letters are used to denote "any number" some students go blank have a problem shaking off the concrete somewhat and systematically applying basic math rules to not just 'solve' an algebraic equation but expand it from variable to display concrete solution or fact.

To be honest-a major problem here recently, though, has been factoring ......

Edited September 8, 2009 by tmma