Two Modes of Mathematics Instruction [microform] / Simon Aloff
- Bib ID:
- 5666094
- Format:
- Book and Microform
- Author:
- Aloff, Simon
- Online Version:
- https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED437109
Broken link? let us search Trove , the Wayback Machine , or Google for you.
- Description:
-
- [Washington, D.C.] : Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, 1999
- 17 p.
- Summary:
-
There is a popular view that arithmetic is only a collection of dull algorithms containing no interesting ideas. However, if one goes a little below the surface, it will become apparent that there are many fascinating ideas waiting to be discovered. The paper tries to show that mathematical ideas can be recognized and understood without the use of "high tech," graphing calculators. Calculators are fast and accurate, and when properly used they allow students to bypass tedious arithmetic and get to the important concepts in a problem. However, educators must be careful not to let the new technology become the driving force in the curriculum. The focus must always be on conceptual mathematical understanding. This paper presents some key "mini-lessons" from arithmetic, algebra, and geometry that will illustrate that elementary mathematics rests on a set of key ideas that are best illustrated using simple calculations. Lesson 1 explores fractions and factor trees. Lesson 2 teaches repeating decimals. Lesson 3 looks at infinite sums. Lesson 4 discusses Gauss's early discovery in finding the sum of the first 100 integers. Lesson 5 explores solutions to the mixture problem, or what students dread--word problems. Lesson 6 explores Pythagorean triples. (VWC)
- Notes:
-
- ERIC Note: In: Issues of Education at Community Colleges: Essays by Fellows in the Mid-Career Fellowship Program at Princeton University, 1998-1999; see JC 000 068.
- May also be available online. Address as at 14/8/18: https://eric.ed.gov/
- Reproduction:
- Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.
- Subject:
- Available From:
- ERIC
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Published
- Publication date:
- 1999
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- Applied mathematics reports and preprints
- OEuvres de Ch.-E. Picard
- Mathematics for technical students
- Self-instruction for young gardeners, foresters, bailiffs, land-stewards, and farmers [electronic resource] : in arithmetic and book-keeping, geometry, mensuration, and practical trigonometry, mechanics, hydrostatics, and hydraulics, land-surveying, levelling, planning, and mapping, architectural drawing, and isometrical projection and perspective : with examples, showing their application to horticultural and agricultural purposes / by J.C. Louden
- Mathematical methods in field theory and complex analytic verieties / edited by Kalyana T. Mahanthappa and Wesley E. Brittin