# All Questions

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### Successor to School Mathematics Study Group (SMSG)

From reviews on Amazon of the various high school math texts by Mary Dolciani et al of the SMSG, I assume that there might be a successor to the approach (referred to as “the new math”) taken by the ...
209 views

### Why are so many online sources “wrong” about directional derivatives?

I noticed many seemingly reputable online sources have "incorrect" description of directional derivatives for real-valued functions in several variables. Here, by "incorrect" I ...
280 views

### Why teach the algebraic Calculus?

In the context of a standard undergraduate Calculus sequence, I've noticed there is a big emphasis on teaching the algebra part of Calculus. What I mean by this is that a student may feel more ...
5k views

159 views

### Rings in parallel with groups in abstract algebra

In a previous question, I asked about the pros and cons of teaching rings before groups in abstract algebra. Recently, it has come to my attention that there is a third approach - a unified approach - ...
128 views

### Improving exposition of a proof about polynomials over infinite fields

This question concerns teaching a proof of the theorem that if a polynomial $f \in k[x]$ over an infinite field $k$ is the zero function (i.e. $f(a) = 0$ for all $a \in k$) then it is also the zero ...
5k views

### Why do we teach the Rational Root Theorem? (high school algebra 2)

Main question: Does anyone have any good/interesting applications of the rational root theorem or ways to teach it that don't involve conveniently ignoring computer-based tools in order to avoid rote ...
174 views

### Reference on study habits; cramming vs studying a bit every day

I am teaching Linear Algebra this semester, with pre-recorded classes and weekly meetings, and the students have a few short and simple exercises to solve every week, which count a bit (20%) to their ...
310 views

### What famous graduate math textbooks use color?

I know that undergrad math books use colors, like Gilbert Strang in his undergrad Linear Algebra textbooks and Measure, Integration & Real Analysis by Sheldon Axler. Many first year calculus ...
860 views

### How to reduce ambiguity in the following question?

There are $50$ bacteria at 10:00 and each divides simultaneously into 2 every 20 minutes. The process of dividing into two is known as binary fission. Let $n$ be the number of fissions that have ...
104 views

### Is there any video lecture series on Graph Theory which uses “Introduction to Graph Theory” by Douglas West? as the text

I am interested in learning graph theory, and from many resources I came to know that Douglas West's Introduction to Graph Theory is a good textbook. But since I am doing self-study, it is at times ...
126 views

### Self-study: how much should we try to figure out material on our own before studying from a textbook?

We can spend a lot of time thinking of material which we have basics for without ever studying the original ideas from a textbook, for example, once one has finished regular derivatives, it is pretty ...
48 views

### Material and textbooks for CLIL learners

I have a quite broad questions. I'm a math teacher in Switzerland (high school level, school year 9-12). We teach following topics (among others): quadratic equations, quadratic functions, system of ...
3k views

### Should figures be presented to scale?

I've been working with a teacher, helping her with tech. One of the things I help with is to convert PDF formatted quizzes or tests to DeltaMath for the students to take online. The issue that I face ...
1k views

### Multiplying the square roots of negative numbers before we calculate a result using $i$ [closed]

To evaluate $\sqrt{-1}$ $\times$ $\sqrt{-1}$ we cannot use $\sqrt{A}$ $\times$ $\sqrt{B}$ = $\sqrt{AB}$ as the result would be 1. I know (?) that we must first respect that the initial numbers ...
235 views

### Can we define length and perpendicularity not via an inner product?

A natural way to reason about Euclidean geometry using modern mathematical language is to define Euclidean space as an affine space $A$ directed by a finite-dimensional real vector space $V$. However, ...
105 views

### Term for candidates for inflection points

The critical points of a function $f(x)$ are candidates for local extrema, i.e., if a function changes from increasing to decreasing, or vice versa, it must happen at a critical point. Is there an ...
248 views

### Are there any university programs that “supersize” calculus courses?

Most differential calculus courses begin with the theory (and analysis) of differentiation, followed by computations, and likewise integral calculus courses. That's a lot for a three credit course, ...
135 views

### Is $\overline{AB} \cong \overline{BA}$ usually taught as an instance of the symmetric property of congruence?

I have been tutoring a wide range of math subjects for many years. Recently, I began tutoring a girl in high school geometry (in California, for context). This semester of the course is starting with ...
125 views

### What determines whether a textbook publishes all solutions to exercises?

Robert Ash (1935-2015) touts in the Preface to Real Variables with Basic Metric Space Topology, I rely especially on one of the most useful of all learning devices: the inclusion of detailed ...
215 views

### What is the name of this teaching style?

I'm planning to teach a series of lessons on expanding and factoring binomials using a certain visual method for my edTPA assessment. Each lesson is pretty much going to be structured the same way in ...
65 views

### Support modelling cycle through differentiated means

I plan to work with my students on solving real-world problems through modelling them. Now it is my idea to follow the modelling cycle below. The idea is to find with the help of two values that have ...
57 views

### Pattern and Structure Mathematics Awareness Program (pasmap)

I am looking for a book or any resources related to this book. It is called Pattern and Structure Mathematics Awareness Program (there is a book one and book two). I have tried to order it but it is ...
5k views

### Why do we still teach the determinant formula for cross product? And is it as bad as I think it is?

The cross product is an important vector operation in in any serious multivariable calculus course. In most textbooks that I'm aware of, right after the definition, we always introduce the ...
165 views

### Pros/Cons of using a single story in multiple examples to demonstrate different points

Judea Pearl, in his book "Probabilistic reasoning in intelligent systems" uses a handful of stories over and over again, each time to demonstrate a different point. (His "Alarm" ...
217 views

### How can I convince authors to publish the Instructor's Solution Manual to students?

This question applies to solely books already accompanied by an ISM ("Instructor's Solution Manual) — access is restricted to instructors. Some don't even sell a SSM (Students' Solution Manual) ...
136 views

### What story and one-digit Natural Numbers best fit Bayes' Theorem chart?

Some students have sniveled that most examples of Bayes' Theorem use non-integer numbers. I want to try a Bayes' Theorem chart that uses just single digit Natural Numbers $\le 9$. To complete the ...
181 views

### Sensible amount of repetition 7 year old

We are now in lock-down, so while homeschooling my son I get to se exactly what he does for math. He has been getting a huge amount of repetitive practicing of really simple math, despite being quite ...
1k views

### Definition of Trapezoid

From one textbook we use in our High School - Transcription: A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with exactly one pair of parallel sides. The parallel sides are called bases of the trapezoid. And from ...
245 views

### Seeking references for why it is good that students understand why mathematical rules work

I am currently advising a student at his final project (it is a graduation course for people who will become math teachers). We've chosen to pick some basic mathematical rules which are (or at least ...
312 views

### short teaching demo on logs; but by someone who uses active learning

I am to give the following for an interview: "a short 7–10-minute teaching demonstration on logarithms. Please consider this as your first 10 minutes of introducing logarithms as if you have not ...
274 views

### How to teach the Pythagorean theorem in a satisfying way to high school students?

I've been pretty dissatisfied with the way the Pythagorean theorem is usually taught, mainly for two reasons: The chosen proof feels like magic and I don't feel like I have a better understanding of ...
188 views

### Differing Choices of $\delta$ in a Limit

In conceptually motivating the $\epsilon-\delta$ definition and proof of a limit, I realized a new way of choosing the $\delta$. For example, consider $\lim_{x\to 4}\sqrt{x}=2$. In the "standard ...
4k views

### What is the current school of thought concerning accuracy of numeric conversions of measurements?

I posted this question earlier today on the Mathematics site (https://math.stackexchange.com/q/3988907/96384), but was advised it would be better here. I had a heated argument with someone online who ...
229 views

### Honors Precalculus: what topics to cut?

We’re precalculus honors teachers. In this year of Covid and reduced instructional time, what topics can we cut (Demana textbook) that would not hurt our kids in either calc AB or BC?
205 views

### Is playing and teaching chess appropriate in private lessons?

I am giving tutoring to a high school student since more than one year and half. He is about 17 years old. He has excellent results in mathematics, being best student in his class for the last year ...
5k views

### How can I explain why we need proofs to someone who has no experience in mathematical thinking?

I know someone I really like, but sadly, that person has absolutely no experience in math or mathematical thinking above third grade mathematics (+, - are fine, but division already makes problems). ...
2k views

### Finding the Balance in a Math Question (Teaching)

As we try to work and teach in the midst of this pandemic, some problems arise when making online math exams. My question is simple: What could be an interesting basic differentiation question such ...
96 views

### Math elementary textbooks [closed]

I’m a master student in Turkey. I’m researching math textbooks from different counties to compare them for my thesis. However, it is really difficult to find them. I need your suggestions. Or is there ...
197 views

### How do we explain to a little child that a date in 2020 and a date in 2021 are not necessarily a year apart?

I talked with my friend on December 29 2020. Then I talked with him again on January 03, 2021. Q: What was the year when you last talked with your friend? A: 2021. Q: And what was the year the ...
316 views

### Defining mathematics to primary/elementary school teachers

I'm looking for a simple way to define mathematics to primary/elementary school teachers and explain some of the confusion children have. I'm hoping some Algebraist could help me properly state the ...
221 views

### Create a math quiz with LaTex by randomly choosing questions from a bank

I am looking for a simple solution to the following problem: I would like to create a math quiz with n questions via LaTex (printable, in pdf) where question 1 is chosen randomly from question bank #1,...