[ExI] algebra

[Adrian Tymes]

The method described is to do algebra in reverse.

Say you had 1+2-3 = x.  The normal method is to do that left to right:
1+2-3 = x
3-3 = x
0 = x

The method here does it right to left:
1+2-3 = x
1+2 = x+3
1 = x+3-2
1 = x+1
0 = x+1-1
0 = x

It is more tedious than the first method - for people who can do the first
method.  The daughter described in this story had difficulty doing the
first method but was able to easily do the second method.

On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 12:16 PM William Flynn Wallace via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> He did mention that most of his children were disabled, but just how he
> didn't say.  Doing things backwards can work for some dyslexics. (DAM -
> Mothers against dyslexia)  But what does this have to do with algebra?
> Spike is puzzled as well.   bil w
>
> On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 2:00 PM Adrian Tymes via extropy-chat <
> extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
>
>> The person is describing an alternate method of handling a sum that that
>> person's daughter was better able to understand.
>>
>> While the existence of people who can handle a sum backward but not
>> forward is questionable, the underlying message is true enough: there are
>> many ways of solving the same problem, so if a student doesn't understand
>> one method, having the student try other methods might be useful.
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 11:26 AM William Flynn Wallace via extropy-chat <
>> extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Can anyone figure out what this guy is saying?    bill w
>>>
>>> my daughter.
>>>
>>> She was excluded from school, long story, and having home tutoring. Said
>>> tutor was trying to teach my daughter all about algebra. For 7 months, I
>>> watched the tutor struggle to make sense enough for my daughter to grasp
>>> the concept.
>>>
>>> I got a bit worried when the tutor started yelling at my daughter. So, I
>>> asked if I could try. She let me have a go, as she smugly stepped aside and
>>> said that if she couldn't, with her specialist knowledge, I sure as hell
>>> couldn't do any better, but as time was wasting, go ahead.
>>>
>>> *First thing I said to my daughter was…. Do the sum backwards. If it
>>> shows plus, you minus, and if it shows division, you multiply. So, start
>>> with what you know, and work backwards.*
>>>
>>> Daughter got it in an instant!! Tutor tests her with more complex
>>> equations, daughter got it right! Tutor spen over an hour testing her, and
>>> finally had to agree that my rather daft method, although it went against
>>> all her teaching, actually worked!!
>>>
>>> Tutor asked me how I knew this. Just told her that that is how I do it?
>>> She asked if she could use it to teach others. I said of course she could,
>>> I don't own the method!!
>>>
>>> We later had a chat and I said that because 7 of my 8 kids had
>>> disabilities and additional needs, I had had to be creative about how each
>>> child learned. And that if they aren't learning, I'm not teaching them
>>> right. She thanked me and actually became a much nicer tutor after that. I
>>> guess I opened her eyes a little.
>>>
>>> There are no bad students, only bad teachers!!
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> extropy-chat mailing list
>>> extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org
>>> http://lists.extropy.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/extropy-chat
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> extropy-chat mailing list
>> extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org
>> http://lists.extropy.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/extropy-chat
>>
> _______________________________________________
> extropy-chat mailing list
> extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org
> http://lists.extropy.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/extropy-chat
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.extropy.org/pipermail/extropy-chat/attachments/20201111/39a5de07/attachment.htm>