On 7 Apr 2006 10:53:50 -0700, "
wrote:


JohnH wrote:

--

Love it. Today it was the Mean Value Theorem for calculus, and 'ellipses'
for algebra 2. Not fun when you haven't seen the stuff for about 36 years!
--


Math makes my tiny little brain ache. I suspected by about the time I
hit 7th or 8th grade that if I could add, subtract, multiply, and
divide (and I can) I would have the basic math skills required for an
adequately successful life. I used to ask math teachers, "What the heck
will I ever *do* with (for example) a Mean Value Theorem or an
ellipse?" Best answer I ever got was, "You'll need to know this if you
ever want to be a math teacher." More often, my inquiry was regarded as
some sort of sacreligious remark. :-)

Is it entirely important for these kids to learn something that you
admit you haven't needed to use for the last 36 years? (ignore that,
just another sacreligious remark)

If I ever figure out just how being able to calculate the square root
of the combined perimeter dimensions of an elongated hexagon would
improve boating, writing, or life in general I would take the whole
science of math more seriously.

Somewhere, Chuck, there is a mathematician saying, "Why the hell did they
make me spend so much time writing essays and term papers?"

It's a shame we aren't born with 'writer', 'engineer', 'doctor', or some
other designator written on our foreheads. Then society would know which
subjects to teach which people.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************