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1500 questions
12
votes
3 answers
Coaching Students to Use the Back of the Book Correctly
My high school students' textbooks have a full answer key in the back. Nearly all of my students make at least one of these mistakes:
Not knowing that the answers are in the back of the book. Hence they miss out on opportunities that their…
David Ebert
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1 answer
The origins of $\operatorname{cis}(\theta)$
There is a abbreviation used in high school mathematics that is almost never seen outside of it: $\operatorname{cis}(\theta) = \cos(\theta) + i \sin(\theta)$, where cis stands for cosine + i sine.
As soon as students get into university Euler's…
Simon
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12
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5 answers
Real life examples to motivate the study of linear functions
Some years ago I used mobile phone or internet rates (for example, with basic fees and a given charge per minute or by data volume) to introduce and motivate the study of linear functions.
However, today (at least in Germany) most people have flat…
Julia
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12
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5 answers
What Should be there in a Single Variable Calculus course for Engineers?
Thought a little background is required.
The place I teach students learn Calculus in school, not the theory but only the computational aspect.
I am trying to teach Calculus to first year Engineering students using Apostol but there is huge…
Vagabond
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12
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6 answers
What is a good prototypical example of a construction that is not well-defined?
In the question Why do students have problems with showing that something is well-defined? How can this be improved?, it was suggested that perhaps students have never seen something that is not well-defined.
I agree with this and would like to hear…
Chris Cunningham
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12
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1 answer
Game or gamified application for teaching/learning secondary school mathematics
Is there any game or gamified application for teaching/learning mathematics covering a high school/secondary school curriculum?
Sondi
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12
votes
9 answers
Examples of Artistic Works with Mathematical Aspects
There are many examples of artistic works which have some mathematical aspects. A high school or undergraduate math teacher can use them as interesting examples in his/her teaching. e.g. In a combinatorics course when a teacher introduces the notion…
user230
12
votes
2 answers
Use of methods similar to Magdalene Lampert's at the college level?
Today's NY Times Magazine has an article titled "Why do Americans stink at math?" It gives a very positive depiction of a set of methods advocated by Magdelene Lampert in her book Teaching Problems and the Problems of Teaching (which I haven't…
user507
12
votes
2 answers
Are women better math teachers for little children?
Once in a discussion a colleague told me that he thinks:
It is better to use women to teach maths to little children including preschoolers and children in elementary school. Also it is better to use men to teach math courses in high school and…
user230
12
votes
8 answers
Helping a reluctant 12 year old
How can I help my 12 year old daughter strengthen her math skills?
My strategy up until a year or so ago had been relaxed. I subscribe to the idea that the best motivation for learning is the intrinsic kind. Unfortunately it's become clear that my…
Mathdad
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12
votes
6 answers
What can be done to improve the standard of mathematics in South Africa?
My name is Tammy and I am a high school math teacher in South Africa. In 2012, SA was ranked last IN THE WORLD wrt to math and in 2013 we were ranked second last. Despite the fact that R253.8 billion (about $23.6 billion) was spent on education…
Bearboots
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12
votes
4 answers
It is good to have old exams (with solutions) published?
What are the arguments in publishing or not publishing old exams? If yes, should they contain also a solution? Would you publish them directly after that particular exam or publish your old one's just before a new exam?
The question is somehow…
Markus Klein
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12
votes
2 answers
ADHD superfocus and motivation for mathematics
I am almost surely ADHD, although undiagnosed. I have colleagues in mathematics who also are, but diagnosed. I have an extremely talented and successful graduate student who is (diagnosed) ADHD.
It is almost surely the case that I would have failed…
Jon Bannon
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12
votes
11 answers
Does a proof by induction have to explicitly refer to the principle of mathematical induction?
I teach high school math.
Some of my colleagues insist that a proof by induction should explicitly refer to the principle of mathematical induction, i.e. it must include the words "by the principle of mathematical induction" or words of equivalent…
Dan
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12
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8 answers
Any meaning/interpretation for $\frac{1}{0!}+\frac{1}{1!}+\frac{1}{2!}+\dots (= \mathrm e)$ (sum of reciprocals of factorials)?
One common way to introduce Euler's number $\mathrm e$ is $$\mathrm e = \lim_{n\to \infty} \left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^n,$$ where the right-hand expression has an "interest rate interpretation" (so that a high-school student can see why this…
user18187