Catalog Information
Title
Elementary Linear Algebra.
(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
Offered
Prerequisite
Minimal learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- Use Gaussian elimination to do all of the following: solve a linear system with reduced row echelon form, solve a linear system with row echelon form and backward substitution, find the inverse of a given matrix, and find the determinant of a given matrix.
- Demonstrate proficiency at matrix algebra. For matrix multiplication demonstrate understanding of the associative law, the reverse order law for inverses and transposes, and the failure of the commutative law and the cancellation law.
- Use Cramer"s rule to solve a linear system.
- Use cofactors to find the inverse of a given matrix and the determinant of a given matrix.
- Determine whether a set with a given notion of addition and scalar multiplication is a vector space. Here, and in relevant numbers below, be familiar with both finite and infinite dimensional examples.
- Determine whether a given subset of a vector space is a subspace.
- Determine whether a given set of vectors is linearly independent, spans, or is a basis.
- Determine the dimension of a given vector space or of a given subspace.
- Find bases for the null space, row space, and column space of a given matrix, and determine its rank.
- Demonstrate understanding of the Rank-Nullity Theorem and its applications.
- Given a description of a linear transformation, find its matrix representation relative to given bases.
- Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between similarity and change of basis.
- Find the norm of a vector and the angle between two vectors in an inner product space.
- Use the inner product to express a vector in an inner product space as a linear combination of an orthogonal set of vectors.
- Find the orthogonal complement of a given subspace.
- Demonstrate understanding of the relationship of the row space, column space, and nullspace of a matrix (and its transpose) via orthogonal complements.
- Demonstrate understanding of the Cauchy-Schwartz inequality and its applications.
- Determine whether a vector space with a (sesquilinear) form is an inner product space.
- Use the Gram-Schmidt process to find an orthonormal basis of an inner product space. Be capable of doing this both in R n and in function spaces that are inner product spaces.
- Use least squares to fit a line (y = ax + b ) to a table of data, plot the line and data points, and explain the meaning of least squares in terms of orthogonal projection.
- Use the idea of least squares to find orthogonal projections onto subspaces and for polynomial curve fitting.
- Find (real and complex) eigenvalues and eigenvectors of 2 × 2 or 3 × 3 matrices.
- Determine whether a given matrix is diagonalizable. If so, find a matrix that diagonalizes it via similarity.
- Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between eigenvalues of a square matrix and its determinant, its trace, and its invertibility/singularity.
- Identify symmetric matrices and orthogonal matrices.
- Find a matrix that orthogonally diagonalizes a given symmetric matrix.
- Know and be able to apply the spectral theorem for symmetric matrices.
- Know and be able to apply the Singular Value Decomposition.
- Correctly define terms and give examples relating to the above concepts.
- Prove basic theorems about the above concepts.
- Prove or disprove statements relating to the above concepts.
- Be adept at hand computation for row reduction, matrix inversion and similar problems; also, use MATLAB or a similar program for linear algebra problems.
An elementary math curriculum for supplementary or home school should teach much more than the “how to” of simple arithmetic. A good math curriculum should have elementary math activities that build a solid foundation which is both deep and broad, conceptual and “how to”.
Time4Learning teaches a comprehensive math curriculum that correlates to state standards. Using a combination of multimedia lessons, printable worksheets, and assessments, the elementary math activities are designed to build a solid math foundation. It can be used as a , an , or as a for enrichment.
Time4Learning has no hidden fees, offers a 14-day money-back guarantee for brand new members, and allows members to start, stop, or pause at anytime. Try the interactive or view our to see what’s available.
Teaching Elementary Math Strategies
Children should acquire math skills using elementary math activities that teach a curriculum in a proper sequence designed to build a solid foundation for success. Let’s start with what appears to be a simple math fact: 3 + 5 = 8
This fact seems like a good math lesson to teach, once a child can count. But the ability to appreciate the concept “3 + 5 = 8” requires an understanding of these elementary math concepts:
- Quantity – realizing that numbers of items can be counted. Quantity is a common concept whether we are counting fingers, dogs or trees.
- Number recognition – knowing numbers by name, numeral, pictorial representation, or a quantity of the items.
- Number meaning – resolving the confusion between numbers referring to a quantity or to the position in a sequence (cardinal vs. ordinal numbers.
- Operations – Understanding that quantities can be added and that this process can be depicted with pictures, words, or numerals.
To paint a more extreme picture, trying to teach addition with “carrying over” prior to having a solid understanding of place value is a recipe for confusion. Only after mastering basic math concepts should a child try more advanced elementary math activities, like addition. Trying to teach elementary math strategies prior to mastering basic math concepts cause confusion, creating a sense of being lost or of being weak at math. A child can end up developing a poor self image or a negative view of math all because of a poor math curriculum.
It’s important to implement an elementary math curriculum that teaches math in a sequence, using elementary math activities that allow children to progressively build understanding, skills, and confidence. Quality teaching and curriculum follows a quality sequence.
Time4Learning teaches a personalized elementary math curriculum geared to your child’s current skill level. This helps to ensure that your child has a solid math foundation before introducing harder, more complex elementary math strategies. , included in the curriculum, provides practice in foundation skill areas that is necessary for success during elementary school. Get your child on the right path, about Time4Learning’s strategies for teaching elementary math.
Time4Learning’s Elementary Math Curriculum
Time4Learning’s math curriculum contains a wide range of elementary math activities, which cover more than just arithmetic, math facts, and operations. Our elementary math curriculum teaches these five math strands.*
- Number Sense and Operations – Knowing how to represent numbers, recognizing ‘how many’ are in a group, and using numbers to compare and represent paves the way for grasping number theory, place value and the meaning of operations and how they relate to one another.
- Algebra – The ability to sort and order objects or numbers and recognizing and building on simple patterns are examples of ways children begin to experience algebra. This elementary math concept sets the groundwork for working with algebraic variables as a child’s math experience grows.
- Geometry and Spatial Sense – Children build on their knowledge of basic shapes to identify more complex 2-D and 3-D shapes by drawing and sorting. They then learn to reason spatially, read maps, visualize objects in space, and use geometric modeling to solve problems. Eventually children will be able to use coordinate geometry to specify locations, give directions and describe spatial relationships.
- Measurement – Learning how to measure and compare involves concepts of length, weight, temperature, capacity and money. Telling the time and using money links to an understanding of the number system and represents an important life skill.
- Data Analysis and Probability – As children collect information about the world around them, they will find it useful to display and represent their knowledge. Using charts, tables, graphs will help them learn to share and organize data.
Elementary math curriculums that cover just one or two of these five math strands are narrow and lead to a weak understanding of math. Help your child build a strong, broad math foundation.
SAT Math Test охватывает ряд математических методов, с акцентом на решении задач, математические модели и стратегическое использование математических знаний.
SAT Math Test: все, как в реальном мире
Вместо того, чтобы тестировать Вас по каждой теме математики, новый SAT проверяет Ваше умение использовать математику, на которую Вы будете полагаться в большинстве случаев и во множестве самых различных ситуаций. Вопросы по математическому тесту предназначены для отражения решения задач и моделей, с которыми Вы будете иметь дело в
Университетском обучении, изучая непосредственно математику, а также естественнонаучные и социальные науки;
- Вашей ежедневной профессиональной деятельности;
- Вашей повседневной жизни.
Например, чтобы ответить на некоторые вопросы, Вам нужно будет использовать несколько шагов - потому что в реальном мире ситуации, когда один простой шагявляется достаточным, чтобы найти решение, встречается крайне редко.
SAT Math Format
SAT Math Test: основные факты
Математическая часть SAT делает основной акцент на трех областях математики, которые играют ведущую роль в большинстве академических дисциплин высших учебных заведений и профессиональной карьеры:
- Heart of Algebra
: Основы алгебры, которая фокусируется на решении линейными уравнений и систем;
- Problem Solving and Data Analysis
: Решение задач и анализ данных, которые необходимы для общей математической грамотности;
- Passport to Advanced Math
: Основы высшей математики, где задаются вопросы, требующие манипулирования со сложными уравнениями.
Математический тест также опирается на дополнительные темы в математике, включая геометрию и тригонометрию, наиболее важные для обучения в университете и профессиональной карьеры.
SAT Math Test: видео
Основы алгебры
Heart of Algebra
Этот раздел SAT Math фокусируется на алгебре и ключевых концепциях, которые наиболее важны для успеха в колледже и карьере. Здесь оценивается способность студентов анализировать, свободно решать и сстроить линейные уравнения и неравенства. Студенты также должны будут анализировать и свободно решать уравнения и системы уравнений с использованием нескольких методов.Чтобы полностью оценить знание этого материала, задачи будут существенно различаться по виду и содержанию. Они могут быть как достаточно простыми, так и требовать стратегического мышления и понимания, например, интерпретация взаимодействия между графическим и алгебраическим выражениями или представлять собой решение как процесс рассуждения. Экзаменуемые должны продемонстрировать не только знание методики решения, но и более глубокое понимание концепций, которые лежат в основе линейных уравнений и функций. Основы алгебры SAT Math оценивается по шкале от 1 до 15.
В этом разделе будут задания, ответ на которые представлен множественным выбором или самостоятельно вычеслен студентом. Использование калькулятора иногда разрешается, но не всегда необходимо или рекомендуется.
1. Построить, решить или интерпретировать линейное выражение или уравнение с одной переменной, в контексте каких-то определенных условий. Выражение или уравнение моеут иметь рациональные коэффициенты, и для упрощения выражения или решения уравнения могут потребоваться несколько шагов.
2. Построить, решать или интерпретировать линейные неравенства с одной переменной, в контексте каких-то определенных условий. Неравенство может иметь рациональные коэффициенты и для его упрощения или решения может потребоваться несколько шагов.
3. Построить линейную функцию, которая моделирует линейную зависимость между двумя величинами. Экзаменуемый должен описать линейную зависимость, которая выражает определенные условия, используя либо уравнение с двумя переменными, либо функцию. Уравнение или функция будут иметь рациональные коэффициенты, и для построения и упрощения уравнения или функции может потребоваться несколько шагов.
4. Построить, решить и интерпретировать системы линейных неравенств с двумя переменными. Экзаменуемый проанализирует одно или несколько условий, существующих между двумя переменными, путем построения, решения или интерпретации неравенства с двумя переменными или системы неравенств с двумя переменными, в рамках определенных заданных условий. Для построения неравенства или системы неравенств может потребоваться несколько шагов или определить.
5. Построить, решить и интерпретировать системы двух линейных уравнений с двумя переменными. Экзаменуемый проанализирует одно или несколько условий, существующих между двумя переменными, путем построения, решения или анализа системы линейных уравнений, в рамках определенных заданных условий. Уравнения будут иметь рациональные коэффициенты, и для упрощения или решения системы может потребоваться несколько шагов.
6. Решить линейные уравнения (или неравенства) с одной переменной. Уравнение (или неравенство) будет иметь рациональные коэффициенты и могут потребовать нескольких шагов для решения. Уравнения могут не иметь решения, иметь одно решение или бесконечное число решений. Экзаменуемому также может быть предложено определить значение или коэффициента уравнения, не имеющего решения или с бесконечным числом решений.
7. Решить системы двух линейных уравнений с двумя переменными. Уравнения будут иметь рациональные коэффициенты, и система может не иметь никакого решения, одно решение или бесконечного число решений. Экзаменуемому также может быть предложено определить значение или коэффициента уравнения, в котором система может не иметь решения, иметь одно решение или бесконечного число решений.
8. Объяснить связь между алгебраическими и графическими выражениями. Определить график, описываемый заданным линейным уравнением, или линейное уравнение, которое описывает данный график, определить уравнение линии, заданное устным описанием его графика, определит ключевые особенности графика линейной функции из его уравнения, определить, как на график может повлиять изменение его уравнения.
Решение задач и анализ данных
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
Данный раздел SAT Math отражают результаты исследований, которые выявили, что является важным для успешной учебы в коллежде или университете. Тесты требуют решения задач и анализ данных: умение математически описывать определенную ситуацию, учитывая задействованные элементы, знать и использовать разные свойства математических операций и чисел. Задачи в этой категории потребуют значительного опыта в логических рассуждениях.
От экзаменуемых потребуется знание вычислений средних значений показателей, общие закономерности и отклонения от общей картины и распространения во множествах.
Все вопросы по решению задач и анализу данных проверяют способность экзаменуемых использовать их математическое понимание и навыки для решения проблем, с которыми они могут столкнуться в реальном мире. Многие из этих проблем задаются в академических и профессиональных контекстах и, скорее всего, будут связаны с наукой и социологией.
Решение задач и анализ данных - одна из трех подразделов SAT Math, за решение которых начисляются баллы от 1 до 15.
В этом разделе будут задания с ответами с множественным выбором или рассчитанные самим экзаменуемым. Использование калькулятора здесь всегда разрешено, но не всегда необходимо или рекомендуется.
В этой части SAT Math Вам могут попасться следующие вопросы:
1. Используйте коэффициенты, ставки, пропорции и масштабные чертежи для решения одно- и многошаговых задач. Экзаменуемые будут использовать пропорциональную взаимосвязь между двумя переменными для решения многоэтапной задачи для определения отношения или скорости; Вычисление коэффициент или ставку, а затем решить многоступенчатую задачу, используя заданное соотношение или коэффициент, решить многоступенчатую проблему.
2. Решить одно- и многоступенчатые задачи с процентами. Экзаменуемый будет решать многоуровневую задачу для определения процента. Вычислить процент от числа, а затем решить многоуровневую задачу. Используя заданный процент, решить многоуровневую проблему.
3. Решить одно- и многоступенчатые задачи на вычисления. Экзаменуемый будет решать многоуровневую задачу, чтобы определить единицу ставки; Рассчитать единицу измерения, а затем решить многошаговую проблему; Решить многоуровневую задачу для завершения преобразования единицы; Решить многостадийную задачу расчета плотности; Или использовать понятие плотности для решения многоэтапной проблемы.
4. Используя диаграммы рассения, решить линейные, квадратичные или экспоненциальные модели для описания того, как связаны переменные. Учитывая диаграмму рассеяния, выбрать уравнение линии или кривой соответствия; Интерпретировать линию в контексте ситуации; Или используйте линию или кривую, наилучшим образом подходящие для предсказания.
5. Используя связь между двумя переменными, исследовать ключевые функции графика. Экзаменуемый установит связи между графическим выражением данных и свойствами графика, выбрав график, который представляет описанные свойства, или используя график, определенить значения или множества значений.
6. Сравните линейный рост с экспоненциальным ростом. Экзаменуемый должен будет найти соответствие между двумя переменными, чтобы определить, какой тип модели является оптимальным.
7, Используя таблицы, вычислять данные для различных категорий величин, относительных частот и условной вероятности. Экзаменуемый использует данные по различным категориям для расчета условных частот, условных вероятностей, ассоциации переменных или независимости событий.
8. Сделать выводы о параметрах популяции на основе выборочных данных. Экзаменуемый оценивает параметр популяции, учитывая результаты случайной выборки населения. В статистике выборки могут указываться доверительные интервалы и погрешность измерения, которые учащийся должен понимать и использовать, без необходимости их рассчета.
9. Использовать методы статистики для рассчета средних величин и распространения. Экзаменуемые будет вычислять среднюю величину и / или распределение для заданного набора данных или использовать данные статистики для сравнения двух отдельных наборов данных.
10. Оценивать отчеты, делать выводы, обосновывать выводы и определять целесообразность методов сбора данных. Отчеты могут состоять из таблиц, графиков или текстовых сводок.
Основы высшей математики
Passport to Advanced Math
Этот раздел SAT Math включают в себя темы, овладень которыми представляется особенно важно для учащихся, перед тем, как приступить к изучению высшей математики. Главым здесь является понимание структуры выражений и способность анализировать, манипулировать и упрощать эти выражения. Сюда также входит умение анализировать более сложные уравнения и функции.
Как и два предыдущих раздела SAT Math, задания здесь оцениваются от 1 до 15.
В этом разделе будут задания с ответами с множественным выбором или рассчитанные самим экзаменуемым.. Использование калькулятора иногда разрешается, но не всегда необходимо или рекомендуется.
В этой части SAT Math Вам могут попасться следующие вопросы:
1. Составьте квадратичную или экспоненциальную функцию или уравнение, которое моделирует данные условия. Уравнение будет иметь рациональные коэффициенты и может потребовать несколько шагов для упрощения или решения.
2. Определите наиболее подходящую форму выражения или уравнения, чтобы выявить конкретный признак, учитывая заданные условия.
3. Построить эквивалентные выражения с участием рациональных экспонентов и радикалов, включая упрощение или преобразование в другую форму.
4. Построить эквивалентную форму алгебраического выражения.
5. Решите квадратное уравнение, имеющее рациональные коэффициенты. Уравнение может быть представлено в широком диапазоне форм.
6. Сложить, вычесть и перемножить многочлены и упростить результат. Выражения будут иметь рациональные коэффициенты.
7. Решите уравнение в одной переменной, которая содержит радикалы или содержит переменную в знаменателе дроби. Уравнение будет иметь рациональные коэффициенты.
8. Решите систему линейных или квадратных уравнений. Уравнения будут иметь рациональные коэффициенты.
9. Упростить простые рациональные выражения. Экзаменуемые будут складывать, вычитать, умножать или делить два рациональных выражения или делить два многочлена и упрощать их. Выражения будут иметь рациональные коэффициенты.
10. Интерпретировать части нелинейных выражений в терминах их условий. Экзаменуемые должны связать заданные условия с нелинейным уравнением, которое моделирует эти условия.
11. Понимать взаимосвязь между нулями и множителями в многочленах и использовать эти знания для построения графиков. Экзаменуемые будут использовать свойства многочленов для решения задач, связанных с нулями, таких как определение, является ли выражение множителем многочлена, с учетом предоставленной информации.
12. Понимать связь между двумя переменными путем установления связей между их алгебраическими и графическими выражениями. Экзаменуемый дллжен уметь выбрать график, соответствующий данному нелинейному уравнению; интерпретировать графики в контексте решения систем уравнений; выбрать нелинейное уравнение, соответствующее данному графику; определить уравнение кривой с учетом вербального описания графика; определить ключевые особенности графика линейной функции из его уравнения; определить влияние на график изменения определяющего уравнения.
Что проверяет математический раздел SAT math
Общее владение дисциплиной
Математический тест - это шанс показать, что Вы:
Выполняете математические задания гибко, точно, эффективно и с использованием стратегии решения;
- Решаете задачи быстро, идентифицируя и используя наиболее эффективные подходы к решению. Это может включать решение задач путем
подстановки, поиска наикратчайшего пути или реорганизации предоставленной вами информации;
Концептуальное понимание
Вы продемонстрируете свое понимание математических понятий, операций и соотношений. Например, Вас могут попросить установить связи между свойствами линейных уравнений, их графиками и условиями, которые они выражают.
Применение знания предмета
Многия задания SAT Math взяты из реальных жизненных проблем и просят Вас проанализировать эту проблему, определить основные элементы, необходимые для ее решения, математически выразить эту проблему и найти решение.
Использование калькулятора
Калькуляторы - важные инструменты для проведения математических вычислений. Для успешного обучения в ВУЗе Вам нужно знать, как и когда их использовать. В части теста Math Test-Calculator вы сможете сосредоточиться на самом поиске решения и анализе, потому что Ваш калькулятор поможет сэкономить ваше время.
Тем не менее, калькулятор, как и любой инструмент, умный ровно настолько, как тот, кто его использует. В Math Test есть некоторые вопросы, в которых лучше не использовать калькулятор, даже если это Вам разрешено. В этих ситуациях экзаменуемые, которые умеют думать и рассуждать, зскорее всего, придут к ответу раньше тех, кто будет вслепую использовать калькулятор.
Часть Math Test-No Calculator облегчает возможность оценить Ваше общее знание предмета и понимание некоторых математических концепций. Он также проверяет знакомство с техникой вычислений и понимание концепции чисел.
Вопросы с занесением ответов в таблицу
Хотя большинство вопросов по математическому тесту являются множественным выбором, 22 процента - это вопросы, где ответы являются результатом вычислений самого экзаменуемого - они называемые grid-ins. Вместо того, чтобы выбирать правильный ответ из списка, Вам необходимо решить задания и ввести свои ответы в сетки, указанные в бланке ответов.
Ответы с занесением в таблицу
Отметьте не более одного кружка в любом столбце;
- Только ответы, указанные заполнением кружка, будут засчитаны (Вы не получите баллы за все, что написано в полях, расположенных над
кругами).
- Неважно, в какой колонке вы начинаете вводить свои ответы; важно, чтобы ответы были записаны внутри сетки, тогда Вы получите баллы;
- Сетка может содержать только четыре знака после запятой и может принимать только положительные числа и ноль.
- Если в задании не указано иначе, ответы могут быть введены в сетку как десятичные так и дробные;
- Дроби, такие как 3/24, не нуждаются в сокращении до минимальных значений;
- Все смешанные числа должны быть преобразованы в неправильные дроби, прежде чем записываться в сетку;
- Если ответ является повторяющимся десятичным числом, учащиеся должны установить наиболее точные значения, которые будут
учитывать.
Ниже приведен образец инструкций, которые экзаменуемые будут видеть на экзамене SAT Math:
Using calculator in elementary math teaching
This article discusses whether or not a calculator should be used in teaching math in elementary grades and how to use it wisely.
The "battle" over calculator use
Some people say a calculator enables children to concentrate on understanding and the mathematical concepts instead of spending time on tedious calculations. They say a calculator helps develop number sense, and makes students more confident about their math abilities.
Others are against using calculator in lower level math teaching, saying that it makes children not to learn their basic facts, prevents students from discovering and understanding underlying mathematical concepts and instead encourages them to randomly try different operations without understanding what they"re doing.
They say calculators keep students from benefiting from one of the most important reasons for learning math: to train and discipline the mind and to promote logical reasoning.
There IS a balance
In my opinion, a calculator can be used in the teaching in a good way or a bad way — it all depends on the teacher"s approach. The calculator in itself is not bad nor good — it is just a tool. It is used a lot in today"s society, so students should learn to use it by the time they finish school.
At the same time, children SHOULD learn their basic facts, be able to do mental calculations, and master long division and other basic paper-pencil algorithms. Mathematics is a field of study that builds on previously established facts. A child that does not know basic multiplication (and division) facts will have a hard time learning factoring, primes, fraction simplification and other fraction operations, the distributive property, etc. etc. Basic algorithms of arithmetic are a needful basis for understanding the corresponding operations with polynomials in algebra. Mastering long division precedes understanding how fractions correspond to the repeating (non-terminating) decimals, which then paves way to understanding irrational numbers and real numbers . It all connects together!
For this reason, it is advisable to restrict the calculator use in the lower grades, until children know their basic facts and can add, subtract, multiply, and divide even large numbers with pencil & paper. THIS, in my opinion, builds number sense , as do mental calculations.
This does not mean that you couldn"t use calculator occasionally in the elementary grades for special projects, when teaching specific concepts, or for some fun. It could be used for example in science or geography projects, for exploring certain new concepts, for some number games, or checking homework. See below for some ideas.
The discussion here does not apply to graphical calculators in high school. I am strongly in favor of using graphical calculators or a graphing software when studying graphing and calculus. Even there though, one certainly needs to learn the basic idea of how the graphing is done on paper.
Things to keep in mind when using a calculator
When calculator is used more freely, one should pay attention to following points:
- The calculator is a tool to do calculations. So are the human mind and paper & pencil. Children should be taught when to use a calculator and when mental computing (or even paper & pencil) are more effective or appropriate. Choosing the right "tool" is part of an effective problem-solving process.
- It is very important that students learn how to estimate the result before doing the calculation. It is SO easy to make mistakes when punching the numbers into a calculator. A student must not learn to rely on the calculator without checking that the answer is reasonable.
- A calculator should not be used to try out randomly all possible operations and to check which one produces the right answer. It is crucial that students learn and understand the different mathematical operations so they know WHEN to use which one — and this is true whether the actual calculation is done mentally, on paper, or with a calculator.
Ideas for calculator use in elementary math
If you use these ideas, make sure the children don"t get the idea that a calculator takes away the need to learn mental math. It can serve as a tool to let children explore and observe, but afterwards the teacher should explain concepts, justify the rules of math, and put it all together.
- Kindergartners and first graders can explore numbers by adding 1 repeatedly (which can be done with first pushing 1 + 1 = and then pressing the = button repeatedly) or subtracting 1 repeatedly. Observe their faces when they hit negative numbers! Or, let them investigate what happens to a number when you add zero to it.
- Calculator pattern puzzles : This is an extension of the idea above, where first to third grade children add or subtract the same number repeatedly using a calculator. Children will observe patterns that emerge when you add, say, 2, 5, 10, or 100 repeatedly. For example, they can start at 17 and add 10 repeatedly or start at 149 and subtract 10 repeatedly. Another idea is to let children make their own "pattern puzzles", which are number sequences with a pattern where some numbers are omitted, for example 7, 14, __, __, 35, __, 49. The activity can connect with the idea of multiplication very easily.
- Place value activity with a calculator : Students build numbers with the calculator, for example:
Make a three-digit number with a 6 in the tens place; OR Make a four-digit number larger than 3,500 with a four in the ones place; OR Make a four-digit number with a 3 in the tens and a 9 in the hundreds place; etc.
Afterwards the teacher lists several numbers on the board and discusses what the numbers that students made have in common, such as: all of the numbers are sixty-something. - Write the number one million on the board. Ask students to pick a number that they will add repeatedly with the calculator to reach one million within reasonable class time. If they pick small numbers, such as 68 or 125, they won"t reach it! This can teach children how vast the number one million is.
- When introducing pi, have students measure the circumference and the diameter of several circular objects, and calculate their ratio with a calculator (which saves time and can help keep the focus on the concept).
The Use of Calculators Gets at the Heart of Good Teaching — an article by Susan Ray; no longer online
Comments
I teach in a very small school and I currently teach Algebra 1, 8th grade science, and then Physics to the seniors and I have a small group that has completed high school calculus and we"re doing some Linear Algebra. I, myself, have a Masters in Physics.Before I read some of these posts, I felt that I was pretty rabid anti-calculator, but now I think I"m more middle of the road.
The comments about doing square roots on paper is a good one. No, we don"t need to know how to do that anymore with good precision. However, I would really like all of my students to be able to tell you what two numbers it"s between. Example: 8
Just last year I discovered how to input data in a TI-83 and have it spit out the mean and the standard deviation. In the context of a Physics class, I don"t want to spend a lot of time on things that they should learn in a Statistics class. But if the calculator does it easily, then I can gently introduce the concept and hope that the initial exposure has prepped them for what they need to learn in Stats.In Algebra 1, however, I don"t allow students to use calculators at all. And, it my school, I find that most kids come to my course without a calculator or an inclination to use it. I feel that the basic rundown on the math in Algebra 1 should be: 80% of the numbers should utilize the basic information on a 12x12 multiplication table that kids should have memorized. 15% of the numbers should push beyond those limits. (example: what"s 384/8?). And the last 5% should be things that they need a calculator for.
In my opinion, you learn things about numbers when you have to do them in your head. If you want to do the prime factors of 357, you can start with the idea that it is less than 400, so you only have to check up to 20. You also know that it"s odd, so you don"t have to check 2 or any of the evens. Then you can realize that you don"t have to check any of the non-prime numbers between 1 and 20. So, you only have to check 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17.
This helps students start to develop some fundamental concepts related to sets. There are groups of numbers that share common properties, like evens and odds and primes. This is a deep concept that you might not get if you don"t have to simplify a process for yourself.
But, also, simplifying a process for yourself is really important. Suppose you are head mechanic on a Sprint Cup NASCAR car. They break all of the time. What do you need to do to fix them? What is extraneous to the problem? What is the smallest number of things that you need to test/fix, and in what order should you try them? That"s a long extension from developing algorithmic thought in high school math class. But I would argue that it"s harder to get there if you have been fed answers by a machine your entire life.
I know this is running long. Two more points... I would never use a graphing calculator to actually graph. I have $100 software on my laptop that blows any hand-held graphing calculator out of the water.
Finally, the comment on store clerks and calculators caught my attention. The world certainly needs people to run the cash registers in department stores. But somehow I feel that the goal of getting a good education is so that you can later choose a career that you are passionate about. Cashiers who are passionate about retail are few and far between. I would hope that my students would have an wider set of choices when they finish school.
David Iverson
I think both should be used. I agree we need to learn the basics in elementary school, addition, subtraction, etc.) However, When you go to Macy"s, Olive Garden or Mc Donald"s, the cashier doesn"t use paper and pencil. Computers (calculators) are used. We live in a computer age. We are no longer in the Industrial Revolution, so let"s come into the 21st century.
Hi I"m Kelly. I"m a freshmen in college at St. Charles community college in Missouri. Your site is wonderful. I was looking it over for my younger sister. Something I would really like to tell everyone and anyone who plans on going to college is to stop using a calculator immediately. Only use it for graphing logs and necessary things like that. I finished high school in a calculus class using a calculator for even the simplest multiplication and division problems, and when I got to college I had to start all over in BEGINNING ALGEBRA because I didn"t know how to multiply and divide without a calculator. So please do everyone a favor and ask them or tell them to stop using a calculator. They will thank me for it later. Kelly
Hello my name is Rafeek and I am a freshman at Hobart and William Smith colleges in Geneva, NY. I am doing a paper on technology and its effects, so I decided to pick the calculator. I came across this site in my research. I want to stress what Kelly said. The same thing happened to me, I was great in high school math, practically aced all math exams, then I came here for orientation and they told me I have to take a math placement test W/OUT a calc. I didn"t realize I couldn"t do a lot of the simple problems because I always plugged it into my calc and got the answer. This is becoming something serious, I already took away my younger brother and sisters calc. and told them until they are in college they will not be using a calc (at least not in front of me). Now I am taking pre-calc. and my goal it to not use a calc. DO NOT DEPEND ON YOUR CALCULATOR!!!
When in University taking math courses for my BMath we weren"t allowed calculators for many of the exams (to prevent people smuggling in pocket computing devices). For anyone doing higher level math I would say that being able to do sums on paper is essential.Emily Bell
I"ve never been good at math and so when i got a hold of my calculator and how encouraging it is in highschool i fell in love with it. that is until i took my colege placement test. I did horrible. I couldn"t even remember how to do a simple division problem mentally. The problem with schools today is that they worry and encourage too much about calculators. Students should have a good sturdy base of mental math before they learn to use the calculator and if u ask me K-3 grade isn"t enough. it should not be permitted until college.
I am a recent college graduate. My major was Electrical Engineering. As my course of study involved a great deal of mathematics, I feel obligated to speak on this important issue. In my opinion, calculators should never be used for any mathematics class, even at the college level. Using a calculator for any subject will cause the user to become mentally lazy and incapable of basic mathematics skills. You should never use a calculator when learning how to multiply, do long division, or even graph a function."Some people say calculator enables children to concentrate on understanding and studying mathematical concepts instead of spending time on tedious calculations. They say calculator helps develop number sense, and makes students more confident about their math abilities."
The above statement is the total hogwash. The only way to develop number sense and understand mathematical concepts is to pour over hours of tedious calculations. The only way to develop confidence in one"s math abilities is to use a pencil and paper whenever you are confronted by a math problem. If a mathematics teacher agrees with the above statement, he or she should be fired immediately. The NCTM should be publicly disgraced for going along with such ruinous ideals.
The only time calculators should be used in school is in the laboratory class when you are doing calculations on numbers with more than 4 significant digits. Otherwise, the student should rely on a paper, a pencil, and his or her brain.
The calculator has no place; NO PLACE; in an elementary school classroom. Period. I am a high school math teacher and the majority of my students have absolutely zero number sense. They"re using calculators to do single-digit multiplication problems they should have rightly memorized in the third grade. They"re helpless without them. I place 100% of the blame on calculator use in the early grades.
My children are 4 and 2. My daughter is going into kindergarten next year, and I"m going to instruct her teachers each year, and periodically throughout the year, she is FORBIDDEN to use a calculator for ANY of her work until she is in high school. There is NOTHING in the elementary or middle school curriculum that requires the use of a calculator.
AS to this statement "National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (1989) has recommended that long division and "practicing tedious pencil-and-paper computations" receive decreased attention in schools, and that calculators be available to all students at all times." My understanding is that this was a reaction to a survey of the time spent on math topics in the classroom and the nearly a third of fourth and fifth grade was spent learning to do division with decimal and double digit divisors (ie 340/.15 or 500/15) Yes teachers were spending more than two months of each of these! This just did not reflect the situation of math in the current world.
Personally, I have seen many great uses for calculators. They allow for error free repetition so that I could discover patterns. Many of the conversions and quick tricks I can do were because I only had a basic calculator all the way through precalculus. BTW, NCMT has also updated its standards to include fluency for math facts in second and fourth grades. As a math tutor I was hearing from parents all the time that children were not spending any time in school memorizing the basic fact.
I would probably would have liked it in the long run if I wasn"t allowed to use a calculator until at least high school (Geometry for me). You know those Nintendo DS Brainage games? Well they made me realize how awful I am with simple math. I can do it, just takes me a lot longer. Also, I can hardly ever do long division. I was taught math on a calculator since grade school.
As a junior high and high school teacher of Math, Pre-Algebra and Algebra I, I find myself fighting this battle yearly. While yes, calculators offer a quick way of finding answers, I don"t know of any problem in any of the three textbooks that I currently use that requires the student to solve long division problems to the upteenth place behind the decimal (which is a common argument).
However I do expect my students to be able to do basic math functions without the use of a calculator. As they get into Algebra, they spend too much time trying to figure out how to do things on the calculator that aren"t possible with the calculators they have. I also expect them to show their work on tests and quizzes (so does the new state tests for partial points) so that I KNOW that they know the process. "I used a calculator" does not demonstrate to me that they know process and rules or the "why" it works. Often it is the "why" that leads to the "look what I found out" and the "ah-ha"s" of mathetmatics.
I frequently remind students that calculators were invented long after mathematic rules began; therefore, all mathematics can be done without the use of a calculator. Great minds, don"t become great by taking the easy way out.
In regards to retail workers, while many customers standing in line would get impatient with the salesperson figuring everything by hand, as a teacher when I go to a food establishment, and that unlucky student of mine is the waiter/waitress/etc. I do expect them to count change back to me. I am mindful of when I do these "checks" and most managers (you know those who can do math without a calculator) are usually appreciative that their employees know how to count change back.
I had to laugh just a bit at the comment regarding "cashiers at Macy"s, Olive Garden, McDonalds...use calculators, computers." True, but that is no argument for their use. Have you ever been at one of these stores when the "computers are down?" Many cashiers cannot figure totals, make change, etc. without a computer to tell them what to do. Strong, basic math skills are very important and IMHO calculator use should be very limited. I sometimes wonder how some of our young people would fare in a true disaster/emergency when there may not be power, cell phones, computers, internet capability, etc. As a homeschooling parent one of my goals is for my child to have good basic skills firmly in place so they can function well in any subject without electronic help.
I have a boy going in third grade, and I bought him an extremely simple calculator (just +,-,*,/). He"s pretty good at problem solving, he knows his multiplication tables, can do additions and subtractions with 12 digits on paper, is learning on how to do multiplications on paper etc... and I was actually looking for some meaningful problems to solve with a calculator when I found this ideological debate.
Now, I fully agree that a calculator should not be a substitute for learning to do mental operations, and for learning how to do it on paper. You should be able to do these things on your self, even if it is clumsy.But the point is, society advances. Where it was useful to do correctly and quickly sums of 20 numbers on a small note, and people even paid you for that skill 40 years ago, it isn"t the case anymore. Most of us don"t learn how to kill a rabbit with bow and arrow - while this was an essential skill for our ancestors living in caves.
When I look at the comments here, it seems that the only problems people faced when not being able to calculate without a calculator was in an artificial setting where this was an expressly tested competence. Rabbit hunting with arrow and bow would also pose a problem if this was not taught, and explicitly tested for one or other exam. I think in "real life" it is now important to be handy with a calculator - although one should of course be able to do without, but maybe not *drilled* at doing it efficiently, correctly and fast without.
BTW, who knows still how to take square roots on paper? Isn"t this an important skill? And who knows how to use efficiently a slide rule? Or a logarithm table to do multiplications? All these were techniques that were once very useful, and were important to be mastered quickly and efficiently. Now, they belong more to folklore. I don"t say that knowing how to do an addition on paper is folklore, one should know how to do it, but I wonder what"s the reason to be able to do it fast and efficiently (and hence spend hours training for it). Can"t one use that time now to do more useful things?
I would say, what"s still a practical skill is *mental* calculation, precise mental calculation, and approximate calculation to get an idea of order of magnitude. Whether doing multiplications of two numbers with 6 or 7 digits is still a very useful skill to train onto, I have my doubts - although, again, one should be able to know how it is done.
Things that get interesting with calculators, are constructions like Pascal"s triangle, or Fibonacci"s series, or factorials, combinations and things like that, and which are too tedious to do by hand.
Patrick Van Esch
Question: What are the main reasons for not using calculators in forms one to three of secondary schools?I"m not quite sure what forms one to three are, but I guess you are talking about high school.
I personally would not deny calculator use of high schoolers. Children need to learn to use calculator, and to use it wisely - which means they should learn WHEN it"s good to use it and when not. Maybe one would deny calculator use in high school if a student was constantly misusing it, in other words using it for 6 x 7 etc., in which case such a student might need to review lower grades math.
I am a current sixth grader, I know most kids my age prefer using a calculator not for checking there work, but doing a large portion of they"re math with calculators. Calculator should be used only for checking work,recently my math teach has practically been forcing us to use TI30 xa calculators,as you know,the school provides a calculator that can add,subtract,multiply,and divide, and that seems to be enough. Lately I have been catching myself relying on calculators to do all my work, but today during my math class I decided no more calculator,one problem I had to solve was 3.8892 divided by 3 and I couldn"t remember how to do it. And the other day my mom gave me a simple math problem while getting gas and it took me 5 minutes to do this basic addition problem. My parents didn"t use calculators when they were in school and if they didn"t need them then we don"t either. But once all of our current middle schoolers are full grown adults, our school system will see that the adults will be way behind in math while relying on computers, and calculators to do all there deeds. I am officially Anti calculator!
I was lucky enough to learn basic math facts (multiplication, division, fractions, estimation, etc) before getting a calculator in 8th grade, but I grew really dependent on my TI 83 graphing utility for my high school algebra/precalc classes. I would graph the function to find the zeros instead of using the quadratic formula and stuff like that.My freshman calculus class didn"t allow calculators, and I failed it. This was after doing quite well in honors high school precalculus. I went into an easier life/social science series (still had to struggle for B"s/C"s when I"d had easy A"s in high school) and eventually repeated the harder calculus class much more prepared. My life/social science series classes allowed 4-function but not graphing utilities. Also, in college I had to show my work to get any credit, even if the answer was right. I think one problem is that I got too hung up on finding the answers rather than learning the process.
My sister on the other hand has had a calculator since 3rd grade, and she literally can"t multiply 6*7 without a calculator or do a word problem, though she does get B"s in high school math.
As a Senior majoring in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, I understand the importance of having the knowledge on how to use a calculator, because yes, we live in an age where technology is widely used. However, like many of you, when I first came to college and had to take exams without use of the calculator, I was in big trouble! I still did very well, but it took me a long time to relearn all of the basic functions of math. From my own personal experiences in the field and through my own courses, I recommend a consistent balance between the two methods!!
I teach mathematics in a college where a calculator is forbidden. Unfortunately many students have been ruined by using a calculator. They have trouble doing even the simplest algebra. This has caused an increase of remedial math in colleges everywhere by up to 95%. There is a book out called "The Deliberate Dumbing Down Of America" written by a former whistle blower from the Department O Education (also known as the DOE which should stand for Dopes Of Education)
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