I've taken this as long as I can. I will try not to stay on my soapbox for
too long. The way the problem is written there is no interpretation
involved. It can be rewritten to give the intended answers. 24/3 + 5 can
not be interpreted to be
24/(3+5). The problem is that too many elementary teachers do not
understand basic mathematics. Many are elem. teachers(especially K-3)
because they wanted to touch as little math as possible. They pass this
along to their students who then give up on math themselves and so it goes.
Once they get to 9th or even 7th grade, it is almost impossible to teach
them the basics because they think they already know them. The elem. math
textbooks are atrocious. Even a conscientious teacher who understands the
basic principles would have to create their own handouts, etc. to
counteract the tools they have at their diposal and the misconceptions kids
bring from their previous teachers. I had a 5th grade teacher tell my
child that 27/6 was, as a decimal, 4.3. (4R3=4.3 not the 4.5 my child put
on her paper) Until we value education as a nation, I don't see much hope
for improvement.
Brenda Reddick <breddick@busca.bm> on 10/28/98 01:52:55 PM
To: "'Ruhm, David'" <David.Ruhm@AIG.com>, casnet@lists.casact.org
cc: (bcc: Mary Kroggel/OFRS/INS)
Subject: RE: Third Grade Math
--0__=hBZ0jHk5HDNzdpOXPeTEorfRkbAd1VGt0nhRucm6dERXp5JNMW3Sy3bp
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Fascinating. I've always wondered why so many of the high school and
college kids I've tutored have no concept of what "equals" means. I'd
love to hear why they're commonly taught this way.=A0 Any ideas?
-Brenda Reddick
-----Original Message-----
From: Ruhm, David [mailto:David.Ruhm@AIG.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 1:30 PM
To: casnet@lists.casact.org
Subject: RE: Third Grade Math
Diamond is 78.=A0 Apply each operation consecutively to get the rest,
i.e., Circle =3D 40, Square =3D 440, Triangle =3D 88, Hexagon =3D 115, =
Oval =3D
230, Star =3D 211.=A0 This type of sequential equation phrasing (produc=
ing a
result that follows an equals sign, and then applying an operation) is
commonly practiced in grade-school and high-school math, and does not
represent a chain of equalities. - David Ruhm
-----Original Message-----
From:=A0=A0 Andr=E9 Perez [SMTP:aperez@busca.bm]
Sent:=A0=A0 Wednesday, October 28, 1998 11:55 AM
To:=A0=A0=A0=A0 'Richard.W.Nichols@travelers.com'; casnet@lists.casact.=
org
Subject:=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 RE: Third Grade Math
Unless there's a trick, this is what I come up with:
Star: 211
Oval: 230
Hexagon: 105.5
Triangle: 184
Square: 1,055
Circle: about 19.20
Diamond: 249
Am I missing something, or do I need to redo Part 1 ?!!!
Andre Perez
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard.W.Nichols@travelers.com
[ mailto:Richard.W.Nichols@travelers.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 12:29 PM
To: casnet@lists.casact.org
Subject: Third Grade Math
The following problem was presented to a group of third
graders.=A0 I have
a solution from the teacher that I disagree with.=A0 I thought I would
pose the problem to a group of mathematics professionals and see if
anyone comes up with the teachers answer.
I will state the problem twice as I am not sure how these things
will
translate in the various e-mail systems.
In words:
Diamond minus 38 equals Circle times 11 equals Square divided by 5
equals Triangle plus 27 equals Hexagon times 2 equals Oval minus 19
equals Star.=A0 Star equals 211.=A0 What number should replace each sha=
pe.
In symbols:
diamond - 38 =3D circle x 11 =3D square /5 =3D triangle +27 =3D hexagon=
x 2 =3D
oval - 19 =3D star
Star =3D 211.=A0 What number should replace each shape.
Visit the CAS Web Site at http://www.casact.org
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
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=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
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