SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
I couldn’t believe how much I used my maths degree when I worked in missile guidance. It’s basically just stats, numerical analysis, calculus, trig plus a little bit of sums. ?
H'mm...I'm pretty sure there a couple of errors in their response! I too have been a high school maths teacher, though that was getting on for 40+ years ago and this sort of stuff was 'already assumed' at the level I taught.I've sort of got an answer for you mate.
I sent the message to my daughter who is currently studying A level maths, her mother is a 6th form maths teacher.
Here goes...What you've posted in an expression, you can't simplify expressions, you can simplify it if it is equal so something else but only then.
So what you've done is correct, as a standalone equation so would be 4m2 + 12m and 2t-12.
You cannot simplify it however it can be factorised if that's what you mean?
They seem to think some other part of the original equation is missing which would allow you to simplify it.
Phew
My kids have asked me what's the point of learning maths. I told them, it's because if they ever have children, they can help them with their maths homework.
H'mm...I'm pretty sure there a couple of errors in their response! I too have been a high school maths teacher, though that was getting on for 40+ years ago and this sort of stuff was 'already assumed' at the level I taught.
However, there are certain concepts/methods relevant to maths at any level.
In this case....
Firstly, define/reiterate appropriate terms (note small 't').
- Term (note capital 'T'): Individual component of an Expression - e.g. 2t (equivalence to 2*t already assumed)
- Expression: (As per Beezerk's reply) A mathematical statement that contains (at least) 2 Terms and (at least) 1 mathematical operator (brackets, +, -, exponent = etc).
- Equation: Special case of an Expression where the Equals (=) Operator is involved
- Distributive Property: The rules that allows bracket to be used (or not) but maintain equivalence of the 2 (before and after) Expressions.
- Like Terms: Terms that are at the same 'level'. Eg. Constants, Same level Exponentials (meanings assumed)
- Expansion. 'Removal' of brackets by using the the Distributive Property on an Expression to individual parts of the Expression
- Simplify: Remove by applying 'combining' (meaning assumed) rules about Like Terms.
- Factorise: The reverse of Expansion. Somewhat paradoxically, this (can) simplify Expressions!
So, your 1st sentence isn't quite correct. Simplifying Expanded expressions can be done - though not in this case.
Re the bit in Italics. That is simply wrong.
Hope that clarifies things.
Btw. @KenL. Thanks for the use of '^' for exponentiation. Much simpler than my text - and the ** I used in IT!
It's likely the 'translation' that's 'at fault'!I'll give you my ex wife's number, you can argue it out with her.
I'll know who will win though ?
Yes. I stick with Lotus 123I used to be able to do a little math, but this newest version of Excel has me baffled.
I hate Microsoft.
They don't know when to leave good enough alone.
It's likely the 'translation' that's 'at fault'!
Simple example is they can work out if someone is giving them the right amount of money?My kids have asked me what's the point of learning maths. I told them, it's because if they ever have children, they can help them with their maths homework.
Yes. I stick with Lotus 123
H'mm...I'm pretty sure there a couple of errors in their response! I too have been a high school maths teacher, though that was getting on for 40+ years ago and this sort of stuff was 'already assumed' at the level I taught.
However, there are certain concepts/methods relevant to maths at any level.
In this case....
Firstly, define/reiterate appropriate terms (note small 't').
- Term (note capital 'T'): Individual component of an Expression - e.g. 2t (equivalence to 2*t already assumed)
- Expression: (As per Beezerk's reply) A mathematical statement that contains (at least) 2 Terms and (at least) 1 mathematical operator (brackets, +, -, exponent = etc).
- Equation: Special case of an Expression where the Equals (=) Operator is involved
- Distributive Property: The rules that allows bracket to be used (or not) but maintain equivalence of the 2 (before and after) Expressions.
- Like Terms: Terms that are at the same 'level'. Eg. Constants, Same level Exponentials (meanings assumed)
- Expansion. 'Removal' of brackets by using the the Distributive Property on an Expression to individual parts of the Expression
- Simplify: Remove by applying 'combining' (meaning assumed) rules about Like Terms.
- Factorise: The reverse of Expansion. Somewhat paradoxically, this (can) simplify Expressions!
So, your 1st sentence isn't quite correct. Simplifying Expanded expressions can be done - though not in this case.
Re the bit in Italics. That is simply wrong.
Hope that clarifies things.
Btw. @KenL. Thanks for the use of '^' for exponentiation. Much simpler than my text - and the ** I used in IT!
Has anyone actually used Algebra out of school ?
Are they allowed to take notes into A level exams now?
I had a crib book, used to sit on the train reading it morning and evening .. as the weeks went by the book got fuller. We did exam papers on those questions at the end of the week plus what we had learned the previous weeks.
I completed A level maths in 6 months following this method. So I don’t really understand why they need 2 years ? I am sure there is a justification of some sort but for me it’s always intense get the job done and then party. If it’s slow, I need lots of other things or I am going to do something else .. like golf.
I sympathise! Well, sort of!Clear as mud. So glad you weren't my maths teacher