Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange
Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange

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Grading Computations vs. Grading Proofs: Is there a difference?

For many years, I've been an instructor for lower level undergraduate math classes (precalculus through calculus III). During that time, I've noticed that the vast majority of problems I assigned were mostly computations rather than proofs. I…
Paul
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Direct applications and motivation of trig substitution for beginning calculus students

Motivating what is often called "Calculus 2" can be hard, which is probably why there are multiple other attempts at motivating it here. I have just begun teaching such a course, beginning with the bag-of-tricks for performing integration. We will…
davidlowryduda
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Grade 8 "Question of the Day" Ideas

I've begun a "Question of the Day" (QOTD) contest in my grade 8 class where I post a problem solving question on the wall each day and students are challenged to answer it in their own time. I need more ideas for good questions. Question: Where…
David Ebert
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Group theory via actions

I'm teaching undergraduate group theory [again] this term. I've been increasingly dissatisfied with the approach in various books (I've used Fraleigh and looked at others). They're all reasonable books, but I always feel as though much of the…
rogerl
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Using terminology for the different concepts of rational number

In elementary maths education literature, they distinguish multiple concepts that rational numbers are used to represent: fractions, quotients, ratios, rates, and possibly more. These words seem to be used to refer to the concept, rather than to the…
DavidButlerUofA
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What to do when a math course needs too many shapes/figures and I'm not good at drawing?

Teaching some courses in mathematics requires drawing too many shapes or figures (e.g. Geometry, some parts of calculus, etc.) but I am not good at drawing shapes. Of course I can use slides, but I want to use only blackboard. Question 1: What to…
user230
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Passage from Descriptive to Inferential Statistics - analogies with other Math-fields?

I am a guest here, having responded to a general invitation extended to the Cross Validated community, to possibly contribute answers whenever some question related to Statistics comes up in this site. I do not teach Mathematics, but I do…
Alecos Papadopoulos
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Showcase of Powerpoint / Keynote / Beamer Presentations

When designing slides for a class I am teaching, I like to derive inspiration from slides others have given before me. However, it is difficult to find concrete examples of such slides outside of a typical Google search. Can you give me examples of…
James Rohal
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How to arrive at infinitude of primes proof?

I know Euclid's proof of there being infinite number of primes. I want to let my brother (age 15) arrive at that proof by himself. He knows definition of a prime number (number divisible only by 1 and itself). First when I asked him how many prime…
user13107
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How to teach Proofs

I was taught in 9th grade the two column proof, and it wasn't until 11th (when I saw some number theory) that I realized what a poor method that is. However, it is certainly effective in getting simple statements proven. Since improving one's…
Thoth19
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is it possible to motivate square roots e.g. $\sqrt{2}$ in business math?

My class is mostly are in business and politics and most have made the choice never to look at math again. Is there still any chance I can motivate exact notions like $\sqrt{2}$ in a manner that is relevant to them? One counterargument might be…
john mangual
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Does playing tournament chess result in high-level mathematical gains, and not merely a skill whose benefits can be gained through any other activity?

https://chess.stackexchange.com/questions/5199/does-playing-tournament-chess-help-one-in-the-field-of-chess-related-math I often wonder whether the visualization of the various types of chess-related graphs is helped along by playing competitively. …
Paul Burchett
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What are some places to publish pedagogical articles about teaching undergraduate mathematics?

I've been looking for possible journals to publish an article about undergraduate mathematics pedagogy. A lot of math journals apparently don't publish articles about pedagogy, or require pedagogical articles to be illuminating some new aspect of…
James S.
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Effectiveness of Requiring Students to Repeat Proofs Presented in Class

In teaching mathematics, I've avoided asking students to replicate proofs I've demonstrated in class, believing this approach primarily tests memorization rather than understanding or critical thinking. However, I've observed a potential downside:…
user19945
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What is the terminology for "self-referral" integrals in calculus?

In the topic of integration and anti-derivatives in Calculus we come across cases where the attempt at integration by parts brings us back to the original integral, the most basic example being $\int e^{a x} \cos(b x) \,dx$. Is there a standard name…
Maesumi
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