Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange
Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange

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Is it morally acceptable to complete math homework with a program oneself has written?

I've been trying to introduce my younger sister to programming, and one of the things I said was basically that once you know how to program, you can have a computer solve equations for you as long as you know how to program it to - including math…
Reepca
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Entertaining examples of multiply quantified statements

I am teaching a discrete math course, and doing multiply quantified statements. All the book examples are sober and forgettable: Every real number has a reciprocal. For all triangles x [in a "Tarski world" with a bunch of shapes of different…
Frank Thorne
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Good ways of explaining the idea of epsilon-delta limits to bio & chem majors?

I am cross-posting from MSE. The students in my calc classes tend to be primarily bio/chem majors, and not very much math / physics / engineering. I feel like there are pretty good ways to talk about and explaining the epsilon-delta definition of…
Braindead
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Effectiveness of proofs in secondary education

I'll have a department meeting in about 10 days and I want to bring the subject of proofs up. While most teachers do proofs in the blackboard, I want to argue that we should put problems to prove in students's exercises sheets. I don't think it is…
Mark Fantini
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How to test knowledge on the real numbers in a written exam?

In German universities, the first-year students typically start their analysis courses with introducing the real numbers. Most commonly, the incompleteness of $\mathbb{Q}$ is discussed using the example of $\sqrt{2}$. Then the real numbers are…
Anschewski
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Pedagogical quandary with the definition of $i$

I'm not sure how the concept of $i$ is taught in other places, but in our district the curriculum defines $i = \sqrt{-1}$, which is how it has been traditionally taught (for a while now) and also how our state standards align the concept of…
celeriko
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How do I adapt a MWF class into a TuTh class?

Both universities I have taught at have tightly-stuctured calculus courses that follow a pattern of 3 sections of Stewart Calculus every week, with some sections afforded two days. I find it difficult to fit 3 lectures (intended for a MWF course)…
Brian Rushton
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How to teach quick multiplication and division in head?

I recently started giving maths lessons and it seems like I am at my wits end. My own background is: I'm a masters student in physics, already did several tutorials for younger students, especially for a course on mathematical methods in physics. Of…
Photon
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Resources on how to mark a maths exam

I am looking for some resources which tells someone how to mark a (1st year undergraduate level) maths exam paper. Ideally it would cover the basic stuff, like making an error at the top doesn't affect the marks at the bottom (so long as the…
user1729
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Effective Final Review

I'm currently teaching a small section of calculus (~35 students). As the semester comes to a close, I'm looking for an effective way to use one or two classes to help my students review for the final exam. In the past, I've used the time as a…
Hans Parshall
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Introduction-to-proof book using natural-deduction-style rules?

Can anyone recommend a textbook for an introduction-to-proofs bridge course that discusses the rules for "proving and using" (aka "introduction and elimination") each connective and quantifier, as in type theory or natural deduction? All the books…
Mike Shulman
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Mathematics and the hermeneutic circle

Many students, teachers and parents view problems as confrontational. Many students develop a self concept in mathematics based on failed attempts to easily win such confrontations. This leads me to wonder if it is possible to consider a terrible…
Jon Bannon
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Technology and distractions

Before I begin this question properly I want to say that I feel responsible for my students, and I want them to do as well as they can do. I mention this because my question is about technology and distractions. I feel that many students are…
user1729
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How can one convincingly present the alternating group?

I am soon going to explain to my students what the alternating group is. The definition is subtle.... one must prove that the notation of an "even permutation" is well defined. There seem to be two proofs of this. One writes down a polynomial (a…
Frank Thorne
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Teaching K-8 math in the style of "A Mathematician’s Lament"

Here's a link to the full paper, colloquially known as Lockhart's Lament: Link: https://www.maa.org/external_archive/devlin/LockhartsLament.pdf In the context of K-8 learning materials that take into account the concerns discussed in Paul Lockhart's…
rbp
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