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1500 questions
9
votes
3 answers
Should I teach a subject I don't like?
Recently I was asked to tutor some students individually on a basic course of Linear Programming, centered on all the "typical" introductory subjects like graphical methods, Simplex Algorithm and Transfer Pricing.
Now, this is not the first time I…
MathematicianByMistake
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9
votes
10 answers
Requirements to learn calculus
I always was non math background student and programming is my hobby. I was attempting to program code instruction given here. Since I don't know calculus I'm stuck. I would like to know what are the things I need to learn before I start learning…
DAKSH
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9
votes
3 answers
Are the following topics usually in an introductory Complex Analysis class: Julia sets, Fatou sets, Mandelbrot set, etc?
I'm an nntaleb fan so I'm glad I learned about the Mandelbrot set, but I notice that said topics are not in Brown-Churchill or 'A First Course in
Complex Analysis' while they are in Coursera's 'Introduction to Complex Analysis'.
If so:
Why? Why are…
BCLC
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9
votes
8 answers
Is there a toy example of an axiomatically defined system/ structure?
Day 1 in my "Into to Pure Maths" class...
I'd like to have a very simple set of axioms defining something, not necessarily a useful thing, but a system that is suitable for making short deductions.
I just want to convey the idea of proving…
Gordon Royle
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9
votes
2 answers
Peer Review of Mathematical Essays
Background
I find that the best way for my mathematical modeling class to understand the modeling process is by having the experience of modeling some real world situation of their group's choosing. I have a number of strategies so that the project…
Christopher Hanusa
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9
votes
3 answers
Mathematics in UK vs Central Europe
Is mathematical education better outside UK and USA? Studying in UK I noticed that the Uk syllabus of 3-4 modules per area of mathematics, is often easily covered by one module in central Europe, for instance Italy or Germany. Looking online, I…
Euler_Salter
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9
votes
1 answer
Appropriate journal for an article on practical mathematical teaching
I have recently finished working on an article on a subject that falls into the category of "practical mathematical (undergraduate) teaching" -- a set of concrete propositions and examples on a specific issue, that enlighten and help with the…
Mike
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9
votes
3 answers
Obtaining printed copies of the textbook series Unified Modern Mathematics
I'm seeking the textbooks that were released in the 1960's call Unified Modern Mathematics. I'm aware 3 parts of the course exist online but I would like to use them in hard copy form. I find these books highly intuitive if used right. Also,…
Jebussy
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9
votes
2 answers
What do you look for in a student presentation?
Context: I am teaching a course on plane geomtery at an mid-size state University in the USA for students who wish to be high school math teachers. They will have to make presentations once per week, and I want to provide them with a list of…
David Steinberg
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9
votes
2 answers
How to explain the range to students?
I mostly tutor students ranging from beginning algebra to calculus level. I think the explaining the range as "the set of all possible outputs" would not really cut it for someone struggling with math at that level. Usually I default to:
"Draw a…
Ovi
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9
votes
2 answers
Native language, writing, and mathematical problem solving
This question is meant to explore the intuition that mathematical thought does not most naturally proceed from writing in one's native language. The hackneyed and not entirely satisfying slogan that mathematics is a language is also relevant here,…
Jon Bannon
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9
votes
8 answers
Definition of the term, equation
What is the definition of an equation (as a mathematical terminology)?
I have been using this term, equation, for a long time.
I don't even remember when and where I have learned this term (Possibly, I have learned about it in my grade 4 in a…
Jessie
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9
votes
2 answers
Explaining difference between natural numbers, integers, rationals, reals, complex numbers, Gaussian integers
I am teaching an introduction to number theory for high schoolers right now, and there seems to be quite a bit of confusion on what the difference between the natural numbers, the integers, the rational numbers, the real numbers, the complex…
user166854
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9
votes
3 answers
In what ways can educators introduce polynomials in grades 7 to 9?
Q: Is there a way we can teach polynomials, avoiding the "watch me do it & now you do it" training method, that will allow students to anticipate and predict the existence or formulation of polynomials? (as it applies to, say, middle school…
Marian Minar
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9
votes
3 answers
Argument for and against giving two different grades at the end of a course
From education theory, there are different concepts how to grade an exam: Either you can say that someone gets only by correct answers or you can say: No matter how good someone is, the best 10% get an A, the best 30% get a B, etc.
What are the…
Markus Klein
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