# All Questions

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275 views

### Is Stewart Calculus a good book for AP calculus exam prep?

I have some background from completing Silvanus Thompson's book, but I didn't fully grasp the later chapters in it. I'm going to use khan academy and maybe other resources as a supplement. How useful ...
128 views

### Teaching Solving Linear Equations before teaching evaluating expressions

Traditionally, I have always taught evaluating expressions before teaching linear equations. But, I was recently given a remedial class of students that have to cover the bare minimums (and we have ...
590 views

### Simple combinatorics problems using division

I would like to introduce counting principles associated with each of the 4 basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) before introducing permutations and combinations in ...
173 views

### Rational Powers of Negative Numbers on Basic Calculators

Context: I teach at a small liberal arts school in the US. The students of interest in this question are generally in their first year. In courses like precalculus and calculus I like to use ...
8k views

### Student asked me if it is necessary to simplify fractions at the end of answering a question. I'm not sure how to respond

I was just tutoring someone and we went through some sort of diagnostic test thing, when the following question came up. Question: Here is some information about $50$ people who took the driving test:...
127 views

### Solved , open problems and levels of difficulty

What are the advantages and wins of solving already solved problems? Does it help me know how to become better at problem solving and test my abilities on it? Does it help me become better and have ...
187 views

### How to Effectively Implement a "Notice and Wonder" Activity?

I am a first-year Pre-Calculus teacher at a public high school in the United States. The curriculum I am using often contains "Notice and Wonder" activities whenever a new concept is about ...
77 views

### Quiz in locked mode without managed Chromebooks?

Google Forms enables locked mode (where students cannot move to other tabs or apps without submitting the form) only if students use certain laptops called Chromebooks. I'm looking for any platform to ...
309 views

### Effective Strategies for Helping Students Recognize Nonsensical Expressions? (HS - Undergrad Level)

I'm not entirely how best to pose this question, so that it fits within the guidelines (so edits / suggestions for modification are warmly welcome). I'm interested in exploring effective strategies ...
8k views

### Combative students in proofs classes

When teaching my first discrete math class recently, I found a subset of about 5 out of 35 of my primarily computer science students who I struggled to reach. If these students simply struggled with ...
85 views

### What is Algebra 1 "Number and quantity; Interpreting Data"?

My sister received her scores for "End-of-Course Examination Program" test results. There is a section "Algebra 1" and underneath a table with rows: Algebra Functions Numbers and ...
163 views

### To what degree can the legally blind, with computer induced medical problems, study statistics?

My son graduates from secondary school in 2022. But he shall attend university in Australia or UK — where you must apply for ONE major — not liberal arts in the USA. He wants to pick BSc Math with ...
486 views

### Is there an agreed upon difference between how we represent $\frac{a}{b}$ and $a \cdot \frac{1}{b}$?

When teaching addition and multiplication of fractions, I seem to recall some advice on this site that one should first treat the cases $a \cdot \frac{c}{d}$ and $a + \frac{c}{d}$ before moving on to ...
1k views

### Are these fraction problems different enough to warrant individual consideration?

Consider the following problems: A) You have 20 problems for your math homework this week, and you want to do 1/5 of them today. How many problems do you need to do today? B) You need to read a 20 ...
2k views

### Teaching Math for Elementary Teachers

What would you guys say the requirements for teaching "Math for Elementary Teachers" should be? Is this generally agree'd upon? Would you recommend it be taught by somebody who has a ...
4k views

### Why the fear of polynomial long division?

Why do people think long division of polynomials is complicated ? I heard this expressed recently and it seems like an odd sentiment. For me, synthetic division is complicated and totally adhoc ...
243 views

### Distance from the wall when reading a sign? A Calc I/II problem

Here is a question on a test I asked recently in a Calculus I class I teach on Saturdays. These are students who are planning to major in Math, and they are already taking AP Calculus BC in their high ...
107 views

### Which function is more elementary: Constant function or identity function? [closed]

I am not a mathematics teacher, I just want to know which function is more elementary and is more reasonable to be learnt first: Constant function (f(x)=1) ...
151 views

### Which context of the two contexts of the linear function concept should be taught first?

It appears in the current version of the Wikipedian article Linear function: In mathematics, the term linear function refers to two distinct but related notions:1 In calculus and related areas, a ...
265 views

### is it beneficial to encourage high school students to conduct their own 'research' in mathematics?

Is it good idea to encourage students to look up more about particular topics that interest them? The idea is that I don't think they will understand how to read math literature. for example, if a ...
584 views

### Write calculus multiple choice questions with only numerical answer choices?

What are the best type of answer choices for multiple choice questions? Numerical only like the probability and financial math actuarial exams? I have an opportunity to utilize a multiple choice ...
345 views

### Solving math problems and learning

Should i solve math problems by writing the answers to papers or notebooks with pencils or should i try solving them in my head at undergraduate studies at university? Also, sometimes after learning ...
288 views

### Is it possible to understand decimals without understanding fractions?

It is common for students to come unstuck by there inability to manipulate fractions (eg calculating gradients, algebraic fractions, etc) yet these same students can handle decimal numbers competently....
861 views

### Is there a blog platform that renders LaTeX well? [closed]

I've been using wordpress.com, but it renders LaTeX terribly! There must be a blogging platform that does a good job of this. Can someone recommend one?
173 views

### How to explain the difference between a constant function and a linear function?

Both function types contain a straight line on a plane, so if a student asks for the difference between them what would be a standard or recommended way to explain it?
174 views

### What is the most fundamental continuous function in calculus after a constant (totally straight) line?

What would be to teach in most countries and education systems? (Taught before "high education frames", i.e. before doing bachelor of arts in mathematics).
1k views

### Where can I find public repositories of past math exams?

I'm looking for public repositories/banks of past undergraduate math exams. No solutions necessary. I just want inspiration for writing my own exams and practice exams. It'd be nice to collect links ...
214 views

### How can I encourage students to show up for exercise classes?

I am doing a maths PhD and naturally that involves leading exercise classes for undergraduate students. The idea is that the students just show up and work through the problem set and I'm there to ...
225 views

### How to train facility with numbers?

I have a student (age 14) who is valiantly striving to improve his algebra. He knows the "rules", and he more-or-less manages to apply them correctly, and hence is generally able to tackle ...
92 views

### How to make progress as an independent student?

In recent times, I have been studying mathematics (topics related to mathematical logic, more specifically) independently and I feel a great deal of passion about it. However, although I have made ...
220 views

I am a high school student really into algebra and algebraic geometry. I want to expose this sort of math to other high school students that have the motivation and ability. For a long time, I had no ...
357 views

### Where can I buy a compass that can hold an "Expo" dry erase whiteboard marker?

Question in title. I'd like to draw a perfect circle on the whiteboard using "expo" dry erase markers. Is there a store I could buy such a compass at? Thank you
3k views

### I want a "true" proof by contradiction of an implication P => Q

When teaching proofs by contradiction of an implication P => Q, one starts by assuming both P and (not Q), and then reaches a contradiction. The problem is, most elementary proofs of this type are &...
107 views

### Names of two circle theorems in English [closed]

There are two theorems: All three angles AC_1B, AC_2B, AC_3B are equal. In general: All angles above a chord are equal. The size of any angle above a chord AB is half the size of angle AOB where O is ...
79 views

### Is the AC Method of Factoring polynomials more popular and used by teachers than others methods of factoring polynomials?

This is an example of the AC Method: $x^2 + 16x +63$ (1) $x² + 7x$ (2) $9x + 63$ (1) $x(x + 7)$ (2) $9(x + 7)$ so we have: $x(x + 7)+ 9(x + 7)$ (1) with (2) The Result is: $(x+9)(x+7)$ I have more ...
501 views

### Is there a difference between 'subtract' and 'subtract by'?

A basic terminology question for a foreign speaker. Please correct me if wrong. (Let's ignore the commutative property of + and * here) ...
3k views

### What is the rationale for distinguishing between proper and improper fractions?

I cannot recall ever hearing the terms "improper fraction" and "proper fraction" outside of an elementary and middle school setting. At some point in my mathematics education ...
547 views

### Are there research studies that attempt to determine the value of a "Growth Mindset?"

A "growth mindset" can be defined this way, see this article: In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have ...
404 views

### Singapore Math textbooks for secondary/"high school"?

Could anyone familiar with Singapore please tell me what is the name of a common textbook used for Math in Singapore's secondary schools? I am looking for topics covered for ages 14-18. I am very ...
203 views

### Probability — analytical results instead of simulations

After students learn how to use probabilistic simulations, what strategies can one use to encourage them to understand analytical results anyway? For example, I'm struggling to find a compelling ...
301 views

### implicit differentiation, formula of a tangent line

I need to understand "implicit differentiation" and after that I need to be able to explain it to a student. Here is an example: Find the formula of a tangent line to the following curve at ...
153 views

### How to recognize possible dyscalculia in a student?

I am looking for input/advice regarding whether a student I just began tutoring may have dyscalculia - and, if so, how to go about broaching the subject / assisting them as best as possible. I'd ...
303 views

### Exponential & logarithm in a high school calculus class

So recently I was teaching high school calculus to a high school class and I was wondering about the pedagogically best way to make students actually understand why the derivatives of the exponential &...
195 views

### Can you talk about (the rest of the) field axioms when the operations are not closed? [closed]

Note: Updated based on this. In my course, my instructor posed the following exercise: Let $S$ be the subset of $\mathbb R^n$, $S=\{(a_1,a_2,a_3...a_n) | a_2 = \pm a_1, a_3=...=a_n=0 \}$. Define ...
148 views

### How to encourage grade 5 kid very interested in mathematics?

My son is in Class or Grade 5 in India. he really likes mathematics. Apart from school work, he does ixl.com, website dedicated for math exercises of his class. he does those exercises relatively ...
80 views

### running the logo language online, in portuguese [closed]

Logo is a programming language that has, as main (and probably only) purpose the teaching of geometry and introductory computer science I am looking for an interpreter for logo that runs online and ...
143 views

### What do kids(6-15) need to know in Math to be able to understand Math easily and effectively?

I teach kids in a village and I was wondering if there is a list of Facts, Procedures, things, a kid 6-15 years of age should know to be able to easily understand things at his/her level of Math. ...
693 views

### Preparing elementary teachers for the praxis exam

I'm teaching a class called "Math for Elementary Teachers." The main goal of the course is to prepare the prospective teachers for an exam that I believe is called "Praxis" (some ...